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Penrod
Penrod

Chapter IV · Desperation

Cover illustration for Penrod
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.
Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.
Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.
This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.
Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.
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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.

Penrod

Chapter IV · Desperation

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.
Line 2
Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.
Line 3
Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.
Line 4
This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.
Line 5
Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.”

Equally noun US /ˈequally/

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

From this reading “The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.”

Excited adjective US /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/

very enthusiastic or eager

From this reading “The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.”

Mantle noun US /ˈmæntəl/

a loose covering like a cloak

From this reading “Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.”

Throat noun US /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading “Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.”

All words in this reading · 103

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 The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

action

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

all

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

also

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

From this reading Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

anteroom

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

artistic

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

aside

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

cast

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

Child

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

children

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

close

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

From this reading Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

concealed

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

condition

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

conspicuous

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

corner

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

costume

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

crowded

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

drawing

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

entrance

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

equallynounUS /ˈequally/

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/

very enthusiastic or eager

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

failed

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

garment

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

horror

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

immediately

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

increased

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

inevitable

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

keeping

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

From this reading Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

knights

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

From this reading Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

Lancelot

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

large

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

less

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

managed

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/

a loose covering like a cloak

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

mantles

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

From this reading Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

medieval

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

meet

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

moment

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

much

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

nerves

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

other

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

From this reading Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

others

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

own

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

pageant

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

Penrod

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

perceive

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

permitted

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

pinned

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

preoccupied

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

present

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

pursuance

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

reference

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

Retiring

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

room

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

round

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

shame

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

sheltering

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

shoulders

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

Sir

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

sister's

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

Some

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

From this reading Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

stage

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

steeling

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

stockings

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

taunting

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

temporary

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Some of the other child knights were also keeping their mantles close about them.

there

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

throatnounUS /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

unfasten

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

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

unmanned

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Retiring to a corner, immediately upon his entrance, he managed to unfasten the mantle at the shoulders, and, drawing it round him, pinned it again at his throat so that it concealed the rest of his costume.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Penrod was less conspicuous than he thought himself, but he was so preoccupied with his own shame, steeling his nerves to meet the first inevitable taunting reference to his sister's stockings, that he failed to perceive there were others present in much of his own unmanned condition.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading This permitted a temporary relief, but increased his horror of the moment when, in pursuance of the action of the “pageant,” the sheltering garment must be cast aside.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Child Sir Lancelot found himself in a large anteroom behind the stage--a room crowded with excited children, all about equally medieval and artistic.