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Great Expectations
Great Expectations

Chapter LI

Chapter 51, section 1: What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say. It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.
It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.
But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.
I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.
Perhaps the latter possibility may be the nearer to the truth.
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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.

Great Expectations

Chapter LI

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.
Line 2
It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.
Line 3
But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.
Line 4
I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.
Line 5
Perhaps the latter possibility may be the nearer to the truth.

Learner Dictionary

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

purpose noun US /ˈpɜːrpəs/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading “What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.”

Collocations
What purposeA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
purpose IA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 94

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 It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

bare

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

cannot

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

concerned

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

conversation

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

conviction

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

distinct

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

down

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

Estella's

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

felt

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

feverish

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

glad

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

head

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

held

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

Herbert

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

hot

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

hunt

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

interest

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

Jaggers

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

latter

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

From this reading Perhaps the latter possibility may be the nearer to the truth.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

man

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

matter

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Perhaps the latter possibility may be the nearer to the truth.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

momentous

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

Mr

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

much

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

nearer

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

From this reading Perhaps the latter possibility may be the nearer to the truth.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

out

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

own

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

parentage

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

Perhaps

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

From this reading Perhaps the latter possibility may be the nearer to the truth.

possibility

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

From this reading Perhaps the latter possibility may be the nearer to the truth.

presently

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

preservation

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

proving

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

put

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

rays

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

really

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

romantic

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

sake

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

say

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

see

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

seen

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

seized

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

shape

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

some

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

surrounded

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

tracing

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

transfer

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

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

truth

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

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

view

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading What purpose I had in view when I was hot on tracing out and proving Estella’s parentage, I cannot say.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading I really do not know whether I felt that I did this for Estella’s sake, or whether I was glad to transfer to the man in whose preservation I was so much concerned some rays of the romantic interest that had so long surrounded me.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

wiser

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

From this reading It will presently be seen that the question was not before me in a distinct shape until it was put before me by a wiser head than my own.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading But when Herbert and I had held our momentous conversation, I was seized with a feverish conviction that I ought to hunt the matter down,—that I ought not to let it rest, but that I ought to see Mr. Jaggers, and come at the bare truth.