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Drifted ashore
Drifted ashore

Chapter XIV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
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WHAT BERTIE DID.
A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.
He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.
He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.
He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Drifted ashore

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WHAT BERTIE DID.
Line 2
A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.
Line 3
He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.
Line 4
He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.
Line 5
He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

Learner Dictionary

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

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.”

Keenly adverb US /ˈkiːnli/

with sharp attention or strong interest

From this reading “He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

alive

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

BERTIE

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

From this reading WHAT BERTIE DID.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

chance

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

change

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

cold

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

day

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

From this reading A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

defined

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

DIDauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading WHAT BERTIE DID.

entertained

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

grateful

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

guest

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

happy

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

hardly

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

head

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

home

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

hospitable

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

house

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/

with sharp attention or strong interest

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

kind-hearted

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

lonely

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

From this reading He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.

longer

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

From this reading He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.

master

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

mercy

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

NEW

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

From this reading A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

once

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

From this reading He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.

opened

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

other

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

out

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

outcast

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

From this reading He was no longer the lonely little outcast he once had been.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

simply

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A NEW life began from that day forward for little Bertie.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

there

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

too

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

turn

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He could hardly have defined the change that had passed over his head, but he was keenly alive to it day by day, and as grateful as he was happy at the thing that had come to him.

WHATpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading WHAT BERTIE DID.

world

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

From this reading He was no longer a chance guest in this hospitable house, entertained there simply because no other home opened to him, and the master was too kind-hearted to turn him out upon the mercy of a cold world.