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Lady William
Lady William

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for Lady William
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
‘My eyes will not support so much light.
You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.
‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.
But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.
‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Lady William

Chapter VII

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
‘My eyes will not support so much light.
Line 2
You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.
Line 3
‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.
Line 4
But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.
Line 5
‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.”

Fool noun US /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.”

Required noun US /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.”

Support verb US /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading “‘My eyes will not support so much light.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

according

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

all

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

beauty

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

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

blinds

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

care

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

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

country

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

curtains

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

day

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

explained

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

From this reading ‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

eyes

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

From this reading ‘My eyes will not support so much light.

face

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

FitzStephen

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

foolnounUS /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

further

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

From this reading ‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

General's

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

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

get

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

husband

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

idea

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

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

ideas

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading ‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

knows

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

light

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

From this reading ‘My eyes will not support so much light.

likes

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

men

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

From this reading ‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

Mrs

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

much

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

From this reading ‘My eyes will not support so much light.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading ‘My eyes will not support so much light.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ‘My eyes will not support so much light.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

old

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

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

pretty

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

reader

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

really

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

requirednounUS /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

said

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

seem

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

show

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading ‘My eyes will not support so much light.

supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading ‘My eyes will not support so much light.

Swinford

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

From this reading ‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

taken

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

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

use

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

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.

very

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

From this reading ‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

visitor's

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

way

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

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

well

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

From this reading ‘It is all very well for men,’ said Mrs. Swinford--but she explained no further.

wife

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

From this reading But the General’s wife had no idea that her old beauty required to be taken care of in this way.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading ‘My eyes will not support so much light.

woman

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

wrinkles

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

From this reading ‘My husband likes all the light he can get,’ said Mrs. FitzStephen: though she had been, as the reader knows, a pretty woman, and was a fool, according to her visitor’s ideas, to face the day and show her wrinkles as she did.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You seem to make really no use of curtains and blinds in this country,’ she said.