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Twelve Stories and a Dream
Twelve Stories and a Dream

Chapter XV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
“What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Twelve Stories and a Dream

Chapter XV

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
Line 2
He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
Line 3
And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
Line 4
“What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
Line 5
Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading ““What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?””

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

answer

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

appear

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

area

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

bed

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

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”

big

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.

chins

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

considerable

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

delicately-chiselled

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

deuce

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

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

distributed

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

effort

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

From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.

face

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

features

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

get

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

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”

Ledbetter

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

Ledbetter's

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

legs

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

man

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

Mr

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

note

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

From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.

number

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

objectionable

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

once

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

personal

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

possessed

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

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”

proceeded

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

promised

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

propitiatory

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

From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

rather

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

remarks

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

require

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

say

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

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”

several

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

small

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

smile

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

From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.

smiled

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

From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.

sort

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

From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.

stout

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

strong

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”

undertone

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

From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

very

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

From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.

voice

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

From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.

wan

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

From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”

whispering

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

From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.

whitish

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

From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”