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Excursions
Excursions

Chapter I

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Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.
His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.
He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.
He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.
An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.
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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.

Excursions

Chapter I

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.
Line 2
His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.
Line 3
He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.
Line 4
He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.
Line 5
An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

Learner Dictionary

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

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.”

Born noun US /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.”

Whilst conjunction US /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.”

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.

12th

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

From this reading He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.

1817

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

From this reading He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.

1837

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

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

ancestor

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

any

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

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

bornnounUS /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

came

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From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

character

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

College

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

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

colleges

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

combination

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

Concord

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

From this reading He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.

country

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

DAVID

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

debt

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

descendant

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

distinction

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

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

drawn

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

esteem

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

exhibited

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

French

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

genius

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

graduated

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

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

Guernsey

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

Harvard

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

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.

HENRY

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

holding

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

iconoclast

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

important

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

Isle

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

July

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

From this reading He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

literary

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

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

literature

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

male

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

Massachusetts

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

From this reading He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.

occasional

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on the 12th of July, 1817.

Saxon

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

seldom

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

service

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

singular

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

small

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

strong

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

thanked

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

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

THOREAU

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

traits

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

very

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

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading HENRY DAVID THOREAU was the last male descendant of a French ancestor who came to this country from the Isle of Guernsey.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading His character exhibited occasional traits drawn from this blood in singular combination with a very strong Saxon genius.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He was graduated at Harvard College in 1837, but without any literary distinction.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading An iconoclast in literature, he seldom thanked colleges for their service to him, holding them in small esteem, whilst yet his debt to them was important.