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Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
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Once a Week
Once a Week

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for Once a Week
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MRS.
BEAUCHAMP'S STORY (MR.
HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.
When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.
My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.
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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.

Once a Week

Chapter IX

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MRS.
Line 2
BEAUCHAMP'S STORY (MR.
Line 3
HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.
Line 4
When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.
Line 5
My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.”

Born noun US /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.”

Let auxiliary verb US /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.”

Wonderful noun US /ˈwonderful/

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

From this reading “HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

advertising

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

agent

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

always

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

ask

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

beat

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

BEAUCHAMP'S

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

From this reading BEAUCHAMP'S STORY (MR.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

Boomster

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

bornnounUS /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

boy

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

CAINE

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

cheeks

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

coursing

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

day

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

earliest

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

expression

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

fall

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

father

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

girl

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

greatest

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

HALL

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

hearing

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

island

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

John

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

like

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

lobster-sauce

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

man

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

mother's

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

MR

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

From this reading BEAUCHAMP'S STORY (MR.

MRS

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

From this reading MRS.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

pale

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

perhaps

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

recollection

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

rough

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

said

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

sent

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

STORY

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

From this reading BEAUCHAMP'S STORY (MR.

takes

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

tale

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

there

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

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

turbot

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

up

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading When they told him "a girl," he let fall a rough expression which sent the blood coursing over my mother's pale cheeks like lobster-sauce coursing over a turbot.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading My father, John Boomster, was a great advertising agent, perhaps the greatest in the island, though he always said that there was one man who could beat him.

wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/

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

From this reading HALL CAINE _takes up the tale_) I have always had a wonderful memory, and my earliest recollection is of hearing my father ask, on the day when I was born, whether it was a boy or a girl.