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That Lass O' Lowrie's: 1877
That Lass O' Lowrie's: 1877

Chapter XXXI · The Decision

Cover illustration for That Lass O' Lowrie's: 1877
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.
That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.
It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.
But they were astounded to find that it did not.
He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

That Lass O' Lowrie's: 1877

Chapter XXXI · The Decision

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.
Line 2
That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.
Line 3
It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.
Line 4
But they were astounded to find that it did not.
Line 5
He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.

Learner Dictionary

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

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

astounded

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

From this reading But they were astounded to find that it did not.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.

boldly

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they were astounded to find that it did not.

career

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

collieries

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

From this reading The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.

condemn

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

convinced

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

dare

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading But they were astounded to find that it did not.

differ

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

employ

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

event

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

extraordinary

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

find

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

From this reading But they were astounded to find that it did not.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.

held

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

From this reading The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

important

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

knowledge

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

laid

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

From this reading He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

lose

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

man

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

meeting

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

From this reading The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.

much

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But they were astounded to find that it did not.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

openly

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

outset

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

owners

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

From this reading The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.

person

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

plans

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

From this reading He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.

position

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

professional

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

restrain

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

Riggan

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

From this reading The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.

ruinous

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

said

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The owners of the Riggan collieries held their meeting.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

threshold

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

unprecedented

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

very

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He brought his plans with him, and laid them before them.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading It would be a ruinous thing, they said among themselves, for so young a man to lose so important a position on the very threshold of his professional life, and they were convinced that his knowledge of this would restrain him.

young

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

From this reading That a person in their employ should differ from them boldly, and condemn their course openly, was an extraordinary event; that a young man in the outset of his career should dare so much was unprecedented.