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The Woman from Outside: [On Swan River]
The Woman from Outside: [On Swan River]

Chapter V

Cover illustration for The Woman from Outside: [On Swan River]
Context Illustration Reading 1/62 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.
It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.
He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.
How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.
And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.
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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 Woman from Outside: [On Swan River]

Chapter V

Reading 1/62 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.
Line 2
It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.
Line 3
He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.
Line 4
How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.
Line 5
And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.”

FIRST noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.”

Third noun US /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

air

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

all

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

calling

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

day

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

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

days

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

determination

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

dogged

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

FIRSTnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

given

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

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

gladly

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

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

gone

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

hope

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

How

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

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

kind

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

light

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

man

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

ordeal

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

otherwise

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

out

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

position

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

preparations

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

proposed

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

rise

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

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

self-control

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

spirits

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

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

STAGE

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

stiffest

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

Stonor

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

superhuman

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

then

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

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

thirdnounUS /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

trip

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

two

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

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

unaccountably

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

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

up

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

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

well-nigh

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

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

word

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

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.