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The Whole History of Grandfather's Chair
The Whole History of Grandfather's Chair

Chapter XXXIII · Grandfather’s Dream

Cover illustration for The Whole History of Grandfather's Chair
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.
The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.
As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.
So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.
Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?
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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 Whole History of Grandfather's Chair

Chapter XXXIII · Grandfather’s Dream

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.
Line 2
The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.
Line 3
As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.
Line 4
So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.
Line 5
Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?

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 “So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.”

Determined adjective US /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading “As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.”

Dream noun US /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading “So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.”

Gentleman noun US /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading “The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

all

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

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

call

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

centuries

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

chair

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

children

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

Clara

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

From this reading Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?

collected

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

DreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

exhausted

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

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

fable

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

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

facts

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

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

fading

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

fancy

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

forth

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

glimmered

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

GRANDFATHER

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

Grandfather's

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

historic

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

history

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

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

idea

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

inconsiderable

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?

Laurence

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

From this reading Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?

Laurence's

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

mistake

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

more

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

night

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

From this reading Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

now

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

occasionally

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

old

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

once

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

possessed

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

pour

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

recourse

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

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

reflections

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

related

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

share

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

sombre

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

story

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

sunshine

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

From this reading The old gentleman had once possessed no inconsiderable share of fancy; and even now its fading sunshine occasionally glimmered among his more sombre reflections.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

thus

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As the history of his chair had exhausted all his facts, Grandfather determined to have recourse to fable.

true

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

two

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

utter

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

voice

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

warning

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

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading So, after warning the children that they must not mistake this story for a true one, he related what we shall call Grandfather’s Dream.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?

wisdom

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

From this reading GRANDFATHER was struck by Laurence’s idea that the historic chair should utter a voice, and thus pour forth the collected wisdom of two centuries.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Laurence and Clara, where were you last night?