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Opening a Chestnut Burr
Opening a Chestnut Burr

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for Opening a Chestnut Burr
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.
He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.
How could he account for the tumult at his heart?
When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.
The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Opening a Chestnut Burr

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.
Line 2
He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.
Line 3
How could he account for the tumult at his heart?
Line 4
When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.
Line 5
The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “How could he account for the tumult at his heart?”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

account

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

From this reading How could he account for the tumult at his heart?

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

anger

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

Annie's

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

boy

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

breast

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

BUTconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

child

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

clasped

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

cold

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

convulsively

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading How could he account for the tumult at his heart?

cynical

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

deeply

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

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

disarmed

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

face

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

felt

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

fled

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading How could he account for the tumult at his heart?

forever

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

heart

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

From this reading How could he account for the tumult at his heart?

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

HEROINE

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading How could he account for the tumult at his heart?

house

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

How

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

From this reading How could he account for the tumult at his heart?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

instantly

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

leave

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

less

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

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

man

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

maze

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

melted

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

Miss

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

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

moment

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

NOTadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

only

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

outburst

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

painfully

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

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

passion

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

pleading

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

refuge

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

room

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

saw

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

scarcely

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

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

supernatural

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

then

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

touched

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

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

trembling

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

tumult

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

From this reading How could he account for the tumult at his heart?

Walton

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

From this reading He was deeply and painfully surprised at Miss Walton, and scarcely less so at himself.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

wished

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

From this reading When he first saw that outburst of passion against a trembling, pleading child, he felt that he wished to leave the house then and forever.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The next moment, when he saw Annie's face as she convulsively clasped the boy to her breast, and with supernatural strength fled to the refuge of her room, he was not only instantly disarmed of anger, but touched and melted as he had never been before.

WOMAN

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.

world

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

From this reading NOT A HEROINE, BUT A WOMAN The cold, cynical man of the world was in a maze.