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May
May

Chapter XXII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.
She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.
There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.
It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.
After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.
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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.

May

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.
Line 2
She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.
Line 3
There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.
Line 4
It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.
Line 5
After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.

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 very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.”

Cleverness noun US /ˈklev.ər.nəs/

The quality of being intelligent, quick to understand, and resourceful in danger.

From this reading “It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading “She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.”

Nobody pronoun US /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading “It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.”

All words in this reading · 87

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 She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.

absence

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

approach

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

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

arm

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

From this reading After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

assembled

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

billows

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

brow

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

called

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

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

came

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

cap

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

Charles

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

From this reading After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.

classic

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

clever

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

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

clevernessnounUS /ˈklev.ər.nəs/

The quality of being intelligent, quick to understand, and resourceful in danger.

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

company

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

dimly

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

dinner

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

drawing-room

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

elevated

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

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

exceed

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

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

hair

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.

impression

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

lighted

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

like

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

liked

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

From this reading There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

lofty

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

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

low

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

made

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

Matilda

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

momentary

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

From this reading After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.

Mr

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

From this reading After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.

nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

offered

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

From this reading After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

pause

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

From this reading After a momentary pause, Mr. Charles offered her his arm.

people

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

Pitcomlie

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.

praise

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

From this reading There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.

pretty

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

rising

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

seen

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

silent

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

small

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

somewhat

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

sounded

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

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

statue

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

There

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

From this reading There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It sounded lofty and elevated; nobody had ever called her clever--but this seemed to approach or even to exceed the point of cleverness.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

triumphant

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

very

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

From this reading There was very little that was classic about poor Matilda, but she liked this praise.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

white

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

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

widow's

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

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She came in, feeling somewhat triumphant, with her pretty hair rising in billows from the low white brow, which people had told her was like that of a classic statue.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading The drawing-room was but dimly lighted when the party at Pitcomlie assembled in it for dinner, and Matilda had been so little seen as yet, that the absence of her widow’s cap made but little impression upon the small silent company.