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The Freelands
The Freelands

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for The Freelands
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.
“I am here,” she said at last.
At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.
“It'll kill him,” he said.
“But—to burn things, Derek!
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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 Freelands

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.
Line 2
“I am here,” she said at last.
Line 3
At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.
Line 4
“It'll kill him,” he said.
Line 5
“But—to burn things, Derek!

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.”

Burn verb US /bɜːrn/

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading ““But—to burn things, Derek!”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I am here,” she said at last.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I am here,” she said at last.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.”

All words in this reading · 51

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

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “I am here,” she said at last.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

ash-tree

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

blue

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

boy's

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

burnverbUS /bɜːrn/

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading “But—to burn things, Derek!

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “But—to burn things, Derek!

Derek

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

From this reading At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.

down

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

fields

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

followed

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

head-gear

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am here,” she said at last.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I am here,” she said at last.

ironic

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

From this reading At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.

It'll

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

From this reading “It'll kill him,” he said.

kill

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

From this reading “It'll kill him,” he said.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am here,” she said at last.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.

Nedda

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

notice

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

orchard

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

said

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

From this reading “I am here,” she said at last.

sat

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

From this reading At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

side

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

speech

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

From this reading At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.

subsided

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

things

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

From this reading “But—to burn things, Derek!

threw

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

too

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

trailing

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

two

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

up

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

From this reading At that ironic little speech Derek sat up.

waiting

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

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Nedda, her blue head-gear trailing, followed along at the boy's side while he passed through the orchard and two fields; and when he threw himself down under an ash-tree she, too, subsided, waiting for him to notice her.