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A New Sensation
A New Sensation

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for A New Sensation
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ONCE THERE WAS A CHILD.
The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.
Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.
Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.
Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A New Sensation

Chapter XI

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ONCE THERE WAS A CHILD.
Line 2
The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.
Line 3
Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.
Line 4
Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.
Line 5
Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

Learner Dictionary

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

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.”

ONCE noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “ONCE THERE WAS A CHILD.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.”

Suppose noun US /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading “Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.”

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 ONCE THERE WAS A CHILD.

absorbed

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

all

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

best

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

CHILD

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

From this reading ONCE THERE WAS A CHILD.

conversation

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

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

cooked

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

corridor

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

declared

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

down

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

dull

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

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

entered

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

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

expected

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

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

feared

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

flow

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

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

footsteps

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

full

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

happy

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

heard

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

hearted

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

hunger

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

intrusion

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

justice

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

led

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

meal

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

Miss

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

nervously

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

Occasionally

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

ONCE

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

From this reading ONCE THERE WAS A CHILD.

ordered

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

place

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

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

provided

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

rallied

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

rather

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

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

sauces

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

served

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

spirits

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

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

started

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

THERE

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

From this reading ONCE THERE WAS A CHILD.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

very

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

From this reading Miss May seemed absorbed in thought, though she declared, when I rallied her on the point, that she was not down hearted, but very happy to be there.

WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading ONCE THERE WAS A CHILD.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

well

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

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Our conversation seemed, however, rather dull, and there was not that flow of spirits that I expected when we entered the place.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Occasionally when footsteps were heard in the corridor she started nervously, which led me to suppose that she feared intrusion.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The meal that we ordered was well cooked and well served, and being provided with that best of all sauces, hunger, I did it full justice.