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Clayhanger
Clayhanger

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for Clayhanger
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TWO.
His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.
He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.
He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.
He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.
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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.

Clayhanger

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TWO.
Line 2
His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.
Line 3
He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.
Line 4
He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.
Line 5
He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.”

Moreover adverb US /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading “He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.”

Rapidity noun US /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading “His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.”

Wondered noun US /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

agreeable

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

all

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

appalling

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

astounding

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

best

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

came

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

care

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

complex

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

contradictory

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

crossing

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

face

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

From this reading He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.

father

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

feelings

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

flitting

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

glimpse

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

From this reading He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

intensify

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

Janet

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

knew

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

lips

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

From this reading He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

only

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

other

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

printing

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

see

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

self-consciousness

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

shut

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

From this reading He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

there

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

tightening

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

From this reading He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

TWO

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

From this reading TWO.

umbrella

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

From this reading He had a glimpse of her face as, with a little tightening of the lips, she shut her umbrella.

wanted

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

why

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

wished

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

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading His feelings were complex and contradictory, flitting about and crossing each other in his mind with astounding rapidity.

woman

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

wonderednounUS /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

works

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

worst

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He wished she had not come, because his father was there, and the thought of his father would intensify his self-consciousness.

young

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

From this reading He wondered why he should care whether she came or not; after all she was only a young woman who wanted to see a printing works; at best she was not so agreeable as Janet, at worst she was appalling, and moreover he knew nothing about her.