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A Window in Thrums
A Window in Thrums

Chapter III

Cover illustration for A Window in Thrums
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.
"The Lord preserv's!" cried Leeby.
Jess looked quickly at the clock.
"Half fower!" she said, excitedly.
"Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."
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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 Window in Thrums

Chapter III

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.
Line 2
"The Lord preserv's!" cried Leeby.
Line 3
Jess looked quickly at the clock.
Line 4
"Half fower!" she said, excitedly.
Line 5
"Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

Learner Dictionary

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

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"The Lord preserv's!" cried Leeby.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Half fower!" she said, excitedly.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jess looked quickly at the clock.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."”

All words in this reading · 62

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 PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

brandering

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

canna

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

casual

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

chair

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

clock

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

From this reading Jess looked quickly at the clock.

COMPANY

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

consternation

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "The Lord preserv's!" cried Leeby.

despairingly

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

dune

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

excitedly

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

From this reading "Half fower!" she said, excitedly.

falling

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

fire

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

flung

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

fower

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

From this reading "Half fower!" she said, excitedly.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

HalfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Half fower!" she said, excitedly.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

Hendry's

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

house

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

Jess

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

From this reading Jess looked quickly at the clock.

Leeby

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jess looked quickly at the clock.

Lord

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

From this reading "The Lord preserv's!" cried Leeby.

man

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

Mealmaker

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

meenute

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

ony

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

PREPARING

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

preserv's

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

From this reading "The Lord preserv's!" cried Leeby.

quarter

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

quickly

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

From this reading Jess looked quickly at the clock.

RECEIVE

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

remark

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

said

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

From this reading "Half fower!" she said, excitedly.

seen

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "Half fower!" she said, excitedly.

steak

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

Then

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "Then it canna be dune," said Leeby, falling despairingly into a chair, "for they may be here ony meenute."

Tibbie

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

tongs

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

town

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading PREPARING TO RECEIVE COMPANY Leeby was at the fire brandering a quarter of steak on the tongs, when the house was flung into consternation by Hendry's casual remark that he had seen Tibbie Mealmaker in the town with her man.