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Hilda Lessways
Hilda Lessways

Chapter XXX

Cover illustration for Hilda Lessways
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"
She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.
The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.
She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."
But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.
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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.

Hilda Lessways

Chapter XXX

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"
Line 2
She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.
Line 3
The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.
Line 4
She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."
Line 5
But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"”

Nevertheless adverb US /ˌnevərðəˈles/

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading “But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.”

Suppose noun US /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading “A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"”

Uttered noun US /ˈuttered/

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

From this reading “The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.”

All words in this reading · 62

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

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

adventure

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

bravado

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

breakfast-room

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

certainly

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

challenge

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

Clayhanger

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

Edwin

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."

glibly

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

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

I've

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

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."

knew

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

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

madness

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

From this reading She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

mouth

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

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

near

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

once

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

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

out

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

RENDEZVOUS

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

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

say

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

From this reading She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

shelved

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

shot

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

singular

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

sitting

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

small

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

sofa

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."

supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She thought: "It is madness for me to say such a thing."

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

utterednounUS /ˈuttered/

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The singular words were certainly uttered out of bravado: they were a challenge to adventure.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

why

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

From this reading But such a thing had, nevertheless, come quite glibly out of her mouth, and she knew not why.

words

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

From this reading She was sitting on the sofa in the small, shelved breakfast-room, and she shot these words at Edwin Clayhanger, who was standing near her.

you've

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

From this reading A RENDEZVOUS I "I suppose you've never thought about me once since I've left!"