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A Face Illumined
A Face Illumined

Chapter XXX · Van Berg's Conclusions

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Context Illustration Reading 1/9 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.
There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.
There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.
Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.
His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.
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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 Face Illumined

Chapter XXX · Van Berg's Conclusions

Reading 1/9 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.
Line 2
There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.
Line 3
There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.
Line 4
Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.
Line 5
His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

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 “There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.”

All words in this reading · 89

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

all

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

Berg

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

care

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

character

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

dangers

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

From this reading Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.

defeated

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

despondency

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

development

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

dictionary

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

discouragement

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

dreary

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

early

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

From this reading Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.

enabled

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

events

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

experience

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

farewell

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

fear

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

fostered

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

growth

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

heart

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

history

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

Ida

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

knew

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

learn

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

letter

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

logic

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

loving

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

From this reading Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.

Mayhew's

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

meaning

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

mistaken

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

native

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

new

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

own

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

paralyzing

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

praised

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

proved

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

realize

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

severe

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

shielded

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

From this reading Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.

sinking

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

some

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

supposed

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

taught

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

There

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

things

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

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.

thwarted

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

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

understood

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

unstintedly

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

untiring

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

Van

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

vigilance

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

From this reading Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading There are some things we never learn until taught by the severe logic of events and experience.

weaknesses

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

From this reading Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading There had been nothing in his own history or character that enabled him to realize the dreary sinking of heart--the paralyzing despondency of those who believe or fear that they have been defeated and thwarted in life.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Through the weaknesses and dangers of early life he had been shielded with loving vigilance.

word

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

From this reading Van Berg knew that the word "discouragement" was in the dictionary, and he supposed he understood its meaning, but Ida Mayhew's farewell letter proved to him that he was mistaken.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading His mind and taste had been fostered with untiring care, and yet every new development praised as unstintedly as if all were of native growth.