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Tono-Bungay
Tono-Bungay

Chapter VII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.
Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
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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.

Tono-Bungay

Chapter VII

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
Line 2
It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
Line 3
Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.
Line 4
Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
Line 5
My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.””

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.””

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.”

Sober adjective US /ˈsoʊbər/

not affected by alcohol

From this reading “Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

absurdity

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

achieved

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

admit

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

From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

amazement

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

Baedeker

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

From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

become

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

chief

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

circle

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

customary

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

From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.

delightful

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

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

earth

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

end

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.

evidently

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

happiest

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

hello

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

From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

joy

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

large

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

laugh

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

made

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

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

mask

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

nature

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

new

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

nickname

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

place

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

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

preoccupation

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

quaintness

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

quiet

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

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

rewarding

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

From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

says

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

From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

schoolfellows

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

second

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/

not affected by alcohol

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

some

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

sort

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

From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.

style

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

uncle

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

uncle's

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

From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”

very

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

From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.

walk

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

From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.

wit

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

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.

woman

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

From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.