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In Connection with the De Willoughby Claim
In Connection with the De Willoughby Claim

Chapter XXVIII

Cover illustration for In Connection with the De Willoughby Claim
Context Illustration Reading 1/89 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.
During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.
Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.
Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.
It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

In Connection with the De Willoughby Claim

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/89 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.
Line 2
During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.
Line 3
Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.
Line 4
Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.
Line 5
It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.”

Argument noun US /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/

a reason or example used to support an idea

From this reading “It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.”

Confidential adjective US /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/

spoken privately and not for general knowledge

From this reading “Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.”

Tongue noun US /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

anxiousness

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

From this reading Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.

argumentnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/

a reason or example used to support an idea

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

arraigned

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

Baird

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

bestowing

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

Certain

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

From this reading Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.

conclave

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/

spoken privately and not for general knowledge

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

congregation

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

From this reading Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.

considerately

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

discussed

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

From this reading Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.

doctrine

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

From this reading Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

easy

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

elder

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

From this reading Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.

enter

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

few

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

flock

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

followed

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

fortunes

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

heads

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

heard

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

individuality

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

instead

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

John

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

less

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

man

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

man's

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

matter

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

members

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

From this reading Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

months

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

much

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

Nature

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

openly

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

phase

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

powerful

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

privately

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

From this reading Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.

questioners

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

questions

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

From this reading Certain elder members of his congregation had privately discussed questions of doctrine with anxiousness.

reappearance

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

regard

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

rested

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

restless

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

return

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

Reverend

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

shaken

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

side

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

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

slow

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

talked

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

tonguenounUS /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

uncertain

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

uncertainty

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

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Had not Nature already arraigned herself upon the man's side by bestowing upon him a powerful individuality, heads might have been shaken, and the matter discussed openly instead of in considerately confidential conclave.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading It was, however, less easy to enter into argument with such a man than with one slow and uncertain of tongue, and one whose fortunes rested in the hands of the questioners.

Willowfield

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading During the first few months after his reappearance among them, his flock had passed through a phase of restless uncertainty with regard to him.

world

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.

years

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

From this reading The world had heard and talked much of the Reverend John Baird in the years which followed his return to Willowfield.