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Stella Maris
Stella Maris

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for Stella Maris
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.
Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.
She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.
The girl's tastes, Miss Lindon lamented, were so plebeian!
She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.
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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.

Stella Maris

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.
Line 2
Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.
Line 3
She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.
Line 4
The girl's tastes, Miss Lindon lamented, were so plebeian!
Line 5
She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.”

Imagine noun US /ˈimagine/

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

From this reading “She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.”

Lamented verb US /ləˈmentɪd/

expressed great sadness or disappointment

From this reading “The girl's tastes, Miss Lindon lamented, were so plebeian!”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

abandoned

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

accomplishments

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

calls

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

came

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

despair

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

dust

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

elegances

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

end

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

entertaining

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

exquisite

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

gathered

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

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

girl's

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

From this reading The girl's tastes, Miss Lindon lamented, were so plebeian!

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

hung

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

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

instructive

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

John

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

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

lady

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

lamentedverbUS /ləˈmentɪd/

expressed great sadness or disappointment

From this reading The girl's tastes, Miss Lindon lamented, were so plebeian!

Lindon

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

literature

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

marvels

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

midwinter

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

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

Miss

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

notion

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

pathetic

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

perform

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

plebeian

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

From this reading The girl's tastes, Miss Lindon lamented, were so plebeian!

polish

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

proficiency

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

puddings

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

read

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

sewing

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The girl's tastes, Miss Lindon lamented, were so plebeian!

sooner

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

storm-cloud

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

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

sweep

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

tastes

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

From this reading The girl's tastes, Miss Lindon lamented, were so plebeian!

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN midwinter the shadow that hung over John gathered into storm-cloud.

there

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

turning

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

Unity

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The girl's tastes, Miss Lindon lamented, were so plebeian!

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading She could perform whatever marvels of exquisite sewing Miss Lindon could imagine, but there her proficiency in the elegances came to an end.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading She would sooner make puddings than afternoon calls; she would sooner sweep and dust and polish than read instructive or entertaining literature.

young

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.

young-ladylike

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

From this reading Miss Lindon, in pathetic despair, had abandoned her notion of turning Unity into a young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.