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St. Ives
St. Ives

Chapter VII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I had two views.
The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.
What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.
Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.
Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.
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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.

St. Ives

Chapter VII

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I had two views.
Line 2
The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.
Line 3
What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.
Line 4
Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.
Line 5
Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.

Learner Dictionary

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

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.”

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.”

Tongue noun US /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.”

All words in this reading · 74

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

all

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

From this reading Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

called

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

care

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

Castle

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

Chance

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

Circumstance

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

clear

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

Cottage

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

devotee

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

divinities

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

Edinburgh

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

exterior

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

From this reading Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.

eyes

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

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

fellow-prisoners

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

get

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.

greatly

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

guess

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I had two views.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I had two views.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

impossible

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

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

keep

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

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

naturally

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

near

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

night

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

nutshell

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

From this reading Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

oiled

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

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

possible

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

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

Prepare

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

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

say

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

second

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

southward

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

straight

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

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

Swanston

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

then

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

there

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

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

tonguenounUS /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

town

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

two

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

From this reading I had two views.

views

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

From this reading I had two views.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What I should do there and then, I had no guess, and did not greatly care, being a devotee of a couple of divinities called Chance and Circumstance.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.

Wit

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

From this reading Wit and a good exterior—there is all life in a nutshell.

work

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

From this reading The first was, naturally, to get clear of Edinburgh Castle and the town, to say nothing of my fellow-prisoners; the second to work to the southward so long as it was night, and be near Swanston Cottage by morning.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Prepare, if possible; where it is impossible, work straight forward, and keep your eyes open and your tongue oiled.