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Chapter V · Madonna's Misfortune

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Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
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As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.
They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.
Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.
Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.
Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

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Chapter V · Madonna's Misfortune

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.
Line 2
They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.
Line 3
Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.
Line 4
Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.
Line 5
Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

Learner Dictionary

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

Cordial noun US /cordial/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.”

All words in this reading · 81

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

affected

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

away

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

briefly

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

chair

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

close

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

clown's

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

comment

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

cordialnounUS /cordial/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

ended

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

eyes

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

From this reading Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.

face

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

gently

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

hand

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

handkerchief

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

From this reading Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

heard

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

husband

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

Joyce

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

From this reading Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.

listened

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

low

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

manner

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

more

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

From this reading Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.

Mrs

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

From this reading Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.

much

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

murmured

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

narrative

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

once

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

From this reading Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

other

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

patted

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

Peckover

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

raised

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

From this reading Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.

said

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

seen

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

some

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

speak

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

subdued

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

sympathy

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Mrs. Joyce more than once raised her handkerchief to her eyes.

thanks

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

too

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

turning

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

unusually

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

Valentine

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

voices

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

way

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

wife

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

From this reading As the clown's wife ended her narrative, but little was said in the way of comment on it by those who had listened to her.

wish

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

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Valentine said nothing; but he drew his chair close to Mrs. Peckover, and turning his face away as if he did not wish it to be seen, took her hand in one of his and patted it gently with the other.

words

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

From this reading Her husband murmured some cordial words of sympathy and thanks--in an unusually subdued manner, however.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading They were too much affected by what they had heard to speak, as yet, except briefly and in low voices.