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It Was a Lover and His Lass
It Was a Lover and His Lass

Chapter XVIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/50 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
Her motives were distinct enough.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

It Was a Lover and His Lass

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
Line 2
She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
Line 3
If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
Line 4
She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
Line 5
Her motives were distinct enough.

Learner Dictionary

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

Determined adjective US /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading “She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.”

Sober adjective US /ˈsoʊbər/

not affected by alcohol

From this reading “If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

addicted

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

advantage

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

any

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

auxiliary

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

balls

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

became

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

bring

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

business

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

conscientiously

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

contemplated

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

distinct

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

From this reading Her motives were distinct enough.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

easy

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

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

embarrassment

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

enough

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

foresaw

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

frivolity

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

glimpsed

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

important

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

incumbent

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

intelligence

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

likely

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

long-sighted

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

merely

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

motive

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

motives

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

From this reading Her motives were distinct enough.

move

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

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

Mrs

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

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

other

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

passing

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

person

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

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

piece

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

purpose

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

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

rank

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

rather

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

relations

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

serious

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

Setons

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/

not affected by alcohol

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

son's

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

Stormont

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

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

taking

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

trouble

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.

undertaken

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

way

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

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Her motives were distinct enough.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.

woman

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

From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.

worth

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

From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.