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Celibates
Celibates

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Celibates
Context Illustration Reading 1/78 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
'I understand very well.
I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.
She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.
Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.
Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.
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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.

Celibates

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
'I understand very well.
Line 2
I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.
Line 3
She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.
Line 4
Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.
Line 5
Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

Learner Dictionary

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

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “'I understand very well.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “'I understand very well.”

All words in this reading · 85

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. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

affectations

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

altogether

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

angered

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

angrily

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

From this reading I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.

architect

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

architecture

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

arrival

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

better

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

From this reading I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.

billiard-table

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

cherished

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

comparing

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

comparison

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

consideration

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

deemed

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

difficulties

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

drawings

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

dreams

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

Egerton

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

experienced

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

expression

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

far

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

From this reading I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

foresaw

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

forwarded

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

house

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

hung

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading 'I understand very well.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

John

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

John's

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

Judged

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

lacking

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

laid

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

lay

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

man

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

Mrs

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

From this reading I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.

Norton

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

From this reading I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

out

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

overcome

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

own

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

poetry

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

practical

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

project

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

promised

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

proportion

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

reconstruction

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

scheme

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

see

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

several

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

somewhat

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

son's

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 'I understand very well.

very

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

From this reading 'I understand very well.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

week

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

well

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

From this reading 'I understand very well.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading She was angered by what she deemed her son's affectations, and by the arrival of the architect before whom John was to lay his scheme for the reconstruction of the house.

wild

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

From this reading Mr. Egerton seemed to think John's architecture somewhat wild, but he promised to see what could be done to overcome the difficulties he foresaw, and in a week he forwarded John several drawings for his consideration.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Judged by comparison with John's dreams, the practical architecture of the experienced man seemed altogether lacking in expression and in poetry of proportion; and comparing them with his own cherished project, John hung over the billiard-table, where the drawings were laid out.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I understand you far better than you think,' Mrs. Norton answered angrily.