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Half Brothers
Half Brothers

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Half Brothers
Context Illustration Reading 1/59 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
COMING OF AGE.
There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.
These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.
Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.
"You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.
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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.

Half Brothers

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/59 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
COMING OF AGE.
Line 2
There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.
Line 3
These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.
Line 4
Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.
Line 5
"You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “"You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.”

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.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

AGE

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

From this reading COMING OF AGE.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

attend

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

boys

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

Brackenburn

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

brothers

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

called

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

choosing

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

From this reading Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

COMING

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

From this reading COMING OF AGE.

consternation

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

decision

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

declared

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

describe

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

Dorothy

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

due

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

father

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

festivities

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

go

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

House

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.

Manor

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

mansion

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

From this reading Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

new

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

From this reading Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

north

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading COMING OF AGE.

old

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

only

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

Philip

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

Phyllis

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

rector

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

Rectory

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

revels

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

said

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

site

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

From this reading Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.

surroundings

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

talked

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

There

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

together

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

From this reading Philip and Phyllis looked forward to choosing the site of the new mansion together.

tranquil

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

unwonted

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

up

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

wife

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

wishes

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

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading There was great consternation in the tranquil Rectory, when the rector declared with unwonted decision that neither he, nor his wife, nor Phyllis would go north to the coming of age festivities of Philip.

years

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

From this reading These revels had been talked of for years; and since Dorothy had come from Brackenburn she had been called upon to describe again and again the old Manor House and its surroundings.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You boys may go," said the rector; "you have been brought up as brothers with Philip, and if he wishes it, it is only due to him and his father that you should attend them.