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Elsie Venner
Elsie Venner

Chapter XXVIII · The Secret Is Whispered

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Context Illustration Reading 1/68 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.
The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.
It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.
The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.
It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.
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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.

Elsie Venner

Chapter XXVIII · The Secret Is Whispered

Reading 1/68 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.
Line 2
The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.
Line 3
It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.
Line 4
The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.
Line 5
It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

Learner Dictionary

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

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.”

Divided noun US /ˈdivided/

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

From this reading “The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.”

Fortune noun US /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading “The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

anywhere

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

attended

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

breeding

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

caprice

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

certain

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

chapel

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

Chauncy

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

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

cleavage

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

congregation

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

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

creeds

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

depended

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

dividednounUS /ˈdivided/

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

Dudley

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

Elsie

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

England

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

Episcopalians

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

expected

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

fairly

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

Fairweather

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

Fairweather's

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

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

gentry

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

large

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

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

latter

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

lines

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

mansion-house

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

meeting-house

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

Mr

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

much

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

New

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

officiated

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

parts

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

persons

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

piece

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

position

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

pretty

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

rector

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

religious

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

Reverend

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

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

Rockland

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

run

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

select

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

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

service

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

social

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

some

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

stained

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

trained

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

Unitarians

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

From this reading It is expected of persons of a certain breeding, in some parts of New England, that they shall be either Episcopalians or Unitarians.

Venner

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

very

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The Reverend Chauncy Fairweather's congregation was not large, but select.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.

window

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

From this reading The mansion-house gentry of Rockland were pretty fairly divided between the little chapel, with the stained window and the trained rector, and the meeting-house where the Reverend Mr. Fairweather officiated.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The lines of social cleavage run through religious creeds as if they were of a piece with position and fortune.

worshipped

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

From this reading It was in the latter that Dudley Venner worshipped, when he attended service anywhere,--which depended very much on the caprice of Elsie.