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Red and Black
Red and Black

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for Red and Black
Context Illustration Reading 1/68 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.
He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.
He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.
He had missed his trolley and had therefore taken the train.
As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Red and Black

Chapter VII

Reading 1/68 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.
Line 2
He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.
Line 3
He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.
Line 4
He had missed his trolley and had therefore taken the train.
Line 5
As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “He had missed his trolley and had therefore taken the train.”

THING noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

back

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

BIG

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

Black

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

bringing

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

certain

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

city

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

clergymen

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

conference

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

crowded

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

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

day

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

debatable

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

debate

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

delayed

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

evening

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

excessive

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

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

filled

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

hesitated

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He had missed his trolley and had therefore taken the train.

hour

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

indeed

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

interminably

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

late

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

man

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

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

men

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

missed

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

From this reading He had missed his trolley and had therefore taken the train.

nervousness

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

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

out

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

RATHER

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

say

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

session

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

somewhat

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

spent

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

suffering

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

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.

taken

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

From this reading He had missed his trolley and had therefore taken the train.

talk

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading He had missed his trolley and had therefore taken the train.

THINGnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

train

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

trolley

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

From this reading He had missed his trolley and had therefore taken the train.

vestibule

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

vital

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

wanted

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

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

weary

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

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading RATHER A BIG THING Black was standing in the vestibule of a train which was bringing him back, at a late hour, from the city where he had spent the day at a conference of clergymen.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He had not hesitated to say so, and had been delayed after the evening session was over by men who still wanted to talk it out interminably with him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was somewhat weary, for the day had been filled with long debate over a certain question which had seemed to him vital indeed but not debatable.

young

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

From this reading As the train drew in Black found himself crowded next to a young man who seemed to be suffering from an excessive nervousness.