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Paul Rundel: A Novel
Paul Rundel: A Novel

Chapter XXXV

Cover illustration for Paul Rundel: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
|IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
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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.

Paul Rundel: A Novel

Chapter XXXV

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
|IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
Line 2
For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
Line 3
A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
Line 4
He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
Line 5
He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.”

Details noun US /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading “He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.”

All words in this reading · 74

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

amazement

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

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

became

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

career

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

convinced

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

crisis

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

daily

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

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

days

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

despair

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

drab

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

duties

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

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

experience

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

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

few

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

following

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

going

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

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

gravest

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

hang

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

happened

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

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

heard

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

From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

helplessness

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

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

Hoag

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

immediately

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

impending

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

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

incident

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

interest

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

From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

laugh

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

From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

noted

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

From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

object

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

past

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

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

people

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

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

prowess

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

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

reached

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

real

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

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

reeking

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

saw

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

From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

serious

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

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

smallest

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

From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

smile

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

From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

stunned

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

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

veil

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

visible

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

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.