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Some builders
Some builders

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for Some builders
Context Illustration Reading 1/58 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
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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.

Some builders

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/58 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
Line 2
The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
Line 3
Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
Line 4
But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
Line 5
She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

Learner Dictionary

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

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.”

Fitted adjective US /ˈfɪtɪd/

prepared and equipped for a particular purpose

From this reading “Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.”

Silver noun US /silver/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.”

TIME noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

Admiral

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

From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.

aigrette

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

arrival

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

bound

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

braid

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.

complexion

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

dark

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

deference

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

From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

DIFFICULT

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

drawing-room

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

eyes

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

fashion

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

From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.

feet

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

fender

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/

prepared and equipped for a particular purpose

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

friendly

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

From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.

gown

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

gracious

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

From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.

grey

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.

hair

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

hall

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

From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

heliotrope

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.

hold

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

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

kiss

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

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

lace

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

like

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

made

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

manner

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

From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.

met

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

From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.

MONICA

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

Monica's

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

Mrs

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

Norman's

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

offer

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

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

old

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

powder

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

rouge

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

russet-brown

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

satin

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

sheath

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

Sidney

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

Sidney's

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

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

silk

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

silver

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

slightly

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

sweet

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

From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

TIMEnounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.

touch

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

From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.

up

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

velvet

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

waiting

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

warming

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

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.