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Phineas Redux
Phineas Redux

Chapter XXXVII

Cover illustration for Phineas Redux
Context Illustration Reading 1/69 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
PHINEAS FINN RETURNS TO HIS DUTIES.
The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.
He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.
But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.
"Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Phineas Redux

Chapter XXXVII

Reading 1/69 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
PHINEAS FINN RETURNS TO HIS DUTIES.
Line 2
The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.
Line 3
He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.
Line 4
But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.
Line 5
"Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.”

All words in this reading · 100

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

10th

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

abstained

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

ample

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

August

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

calculated

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

coward

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

deferred

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

doomed

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

DUTIES

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

From this reading PHINEAS FINN RETURNS TO HIS DUTIES.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

election

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

finished

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

FINN

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

From this reading PHINEAS FINN RETURNS TO HIS DUTIES.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

following

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

fortnight's

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

friends

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

hard

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

From this reading "Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

hardly

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading PHINEAS FINN RETURNS TO HIS DUTIES.

hoped

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

July

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

late

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

Low

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

From this reading "Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

matter

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

member

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

more

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

most

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

Mr

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

From this reading "Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

nearly

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

neglect

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

oaths

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

once

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

Parliament

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

PHINEAS

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

From this reading PHINEAS FINN RETURNS TO HIS DUTIES.

place

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

present

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

pressed

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

proposed

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

re-election

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

reappearance

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

RETURNS

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

From this reading PHINEAS FINN RETURNS TO HIS DUTIES.

said

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

From this reading "Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

Session

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

show

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

sit

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

taking

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

Tankerville

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

there

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading PHINEAS FINN RETURNS TO HIS DUTIES.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

trusted

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

two

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

used

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

From this reading "Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

week

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He had calculated that this could hardly be so when the matter of re-election was first proposed to him, and had hoped that his reappearance might be deferred till the following year.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

word

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

From this reading "Coward is a hard word," he said to Mr. Low, who had used it.

work

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

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.

year

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

From this reading The election at Tankerville took place during the last week in July; and as Parliament was doomed to sit that year as late as the 10th of August, there was ample time for Phineas to present himself and take the oaths before the Session was finished.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading But there he was, once more member for Tankerville, while yet there was nearly a fortnight's work to be done, pressed by his friends, and told by one or two of those whom he most trusted, that he would neglect his duty and show himself to be a coward, if he abstained from taking his place.