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Mercy Philbrick's Choice
Mercy Philbrick's Choice

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for Mercy Philbrick's Choice
Context Illustration Reading 1/59 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.
Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.
During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.
Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.
If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.
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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.

Mercy Philbrick's Choice

Chapter IX

Reading 1/59 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.
Line 2
Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.
Line 3
During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.
Line 4
Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.
Line 5
If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

Learner Dictionary

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

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.”

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 It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

absorbing

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

acquaintance

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

conscious

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

consciousness

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

culture

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

demanded

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

desire

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

Dorrance

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

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

enough

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

farther

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

feels

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

felt

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

few

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

firm

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

inexorably

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

influence

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

insatiable

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

intellectual

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

love

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

man

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

Mercy

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

Mercy's

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

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

met

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

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

moral

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

more

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

From this reading If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

nature

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

object

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

Parson

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

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

passionate

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

planet

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

From this reading If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so.

presence

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

rectitude

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

removed

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

sentiment

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

teach

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

thirst

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance.

turning-point

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

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

weeks

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

From this reading During the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Mercy was conscious of an insatiable desire to be in his presence: it was an intellectual and a moral thirst.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was a turning-point in Mercy's life when she met Parson Dorrance.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Here at last was a man who had strength enough to influence her, culture enough to teach her, and the firm moral rectitude which her nature so inexorably demanded.