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A Diary Without Dates
A Diary Without Dates

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for A Diary Without Dates
Context Illustration Reading 1/96 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.
It is no life for a man.
I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."
"Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."
I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.
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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.

A Diary Without Dates

Chapter IV

Reading 1/96 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.
Line 2
It is no life for a man.
Line 3
I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."
Line 4
"Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."
Line 5
I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

Learner Dictionary

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

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is no life for a man.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."”

Thinking noun US /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."”

Violent noun US /ˈviolent/

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

From this reading “I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

bath

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

complicated

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

conclusion

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

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

dare

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

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

Don't

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

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is no life for a man.

get

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

got

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

hurry

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

I've

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is no life for a man.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is no life for a man.

it's

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

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

language

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is no life for a man.

like

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

man

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

From this reading It is no life for a man.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

more

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

much

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

nine

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It is no life for a man.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

nurse

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

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

on'y

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

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

one's

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

only

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

out

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

parried

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

Pinker

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

said

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

scrubbed

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

self-deception

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

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

soul

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

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

talk

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

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

thinkingnounUS /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

up

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

violentnounUS /ˈviolent/

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

From this reading I have come to the conclusion that he has a violent soul, that he dare not talk.

wish

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I should like to have parried with Pinker (only my language is so much more complicated than it ought to be) that thinking in one's bath is a self-deception.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Don't you hurry me, nurse," said Pinker, "it's the on'y time I can think, in me bath."

you'd

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

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I said to Pinker this morning, "I wish you'd hurry up over your bath; I've got to get it scrubbed out by nine."