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In the Dead of Night — Volume 1
In the Dead of Night — Volume 1

Chapter XIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A DINNER AT PINCOTE.
Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

In the Dead of Night — Volume 1

Chapter XIII

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

Line 1
A DINNER AT PINCOTE.
Line 2
Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
Line 3
There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
Line 4
The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
Line 5
Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.

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 “There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.”

Cell noun US /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading “There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.”

Distressed adjective US /dɪˈstrɛst/

suffering from pain, danger, or serious difficulty

From this reading “Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.”

Serenity noun US /səˈren.ə.t̬i/

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.

From this reading “There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading “Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.”

All words in this reading · 97

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 DINNER AT PINCOTE.

able

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

accusation

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

always

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

animated

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

any

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A DINNER AT PINCOTE.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

blessed

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

case

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

cellnounUS /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

cheerfulness

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

company

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

day

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

From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.

Dering

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

DINNER

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

From this reading A DINNER AT PINCOTE.

dispositions

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɛst/

suffering from pain, danger, or serious difficulty

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

disturb

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

downhearted

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

Edith

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

From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.

EitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.

equable

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

four

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

friend

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

friendship

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

gay

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

hanging

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

infinitely

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

Lionel

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

love

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

more

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

Newton

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

now

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

offices

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

ordeal

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

other

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

others

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

owed

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

own

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

owner

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

Park

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

PINCOTE

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

From this reading A DINNER AT PINCOTE.

predispose

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

prison

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

quiet

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

saw

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

serenitynounUS /səˈren.ə.t̬i/

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

side

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

study

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

sunny

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

sweet

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

There

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

Tom

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

From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.

trying

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

usually

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

very

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

walls

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

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

way

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

wife

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.