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The Hall and the Grange: A Novel
The Hall and the Grange: A Novel

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Hall and the Grange: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.
All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.
There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.
After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.
Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Hall and the Grange: A Novel

Chapter VII

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.
Line 2
All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.
Line 3
There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.
Line 4
After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.
Line 5
Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.”

Disposed noun US /ˈdisposed/

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

From this reading “After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.”

Support verb US /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading “All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

activity

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

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

advanced

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

All

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

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

almost

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

betook

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

bird

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

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

breath

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

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

ceased

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

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

climate

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

day

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

disposednounUS /ˈdisposed/

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

endeavour

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

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

hand

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

heat

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

holding

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

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

insects

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

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

Judith

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

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

languidly

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

manifest

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

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

member

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

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

nature

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

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

near

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

only

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

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

overheated

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

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

PEOPLE

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

players

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

pursued

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

seats

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

set

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

shade

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

showed

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

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

signs

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

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

somewhat

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

sound

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

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

stir

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

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

sun-steeped

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading All nature seemed to be holding its breath in an endeavour to support it.

temperate

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

tennis

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

There

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

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

torrid

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

From this reading After one set, somewhat languidly pursued, the tennis players betook themselves to the seats disposed near at hand, in a shade almost as torrid as the sun-steeped open.

unusual

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was no sound of bird life, and even the insects had ceased their stir of activity.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Judith was the only member of the party who showed no manifest signs of being overheated.

YOUNG

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

From this reading YOUNG PEOPLE The day had advanced to a heat unusual in our temperate climate.