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The dead tryst
The dead tryst

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for The dead tryst
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ERNESTINE.
As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
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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.

The dead tryst

Chapter XX

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ERNESTINE.
Line 2
As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
Line 3
That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
Line 4
The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
Line 5
She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

Ere conjunction US /er/

an old word for “before”

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

Inexplicable noun US /inexplicable/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

Suppose noun US /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.”

Unto preposition US /ˈʌntuː/

an old word for “to”

From this reading “That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.”

Wounded noun US /wounded/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.”

All words in this reading · 106

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 As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

actually

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

alive

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

all

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

always

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

battle

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

betrothed

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

brother

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

Carl

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

catastrophe

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

category

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

contingency

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

dearly

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

death

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

defender

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

elapsed

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

end

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

enforced

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

ereconjunctionUS /er/

an old word for “before”

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

ERNESTINE

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

From this reading ERNESTINE.

event

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

family

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

felt

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

Frankfort

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

friend

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

German

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

happen

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

Heinrich

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

horrible

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

household

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

husband

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

ignominy

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

inexplicablenounUS /inexplicable/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

loved

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

lover

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

more

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

now

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

only

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

outright

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

own

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

papers

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

peculiar

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

prisoner

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

probable

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

prostrated

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

quiet

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

reader

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

realized

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

recorded

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

recover

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

roasted

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

shock

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

skirmish

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

slain

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

some

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

speculations

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

stated

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

suffer

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

taken

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

too

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/

an old word for “to”

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.

utterly

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

viewed

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

From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

way

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.

whole

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

From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.

wounded

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

From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.