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Alice Adams
Alice Adams

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Alice Adams
Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.
Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.
As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”
“That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.
Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.
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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.

Alice Adams

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.
Line 2
Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.
Line 3
As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”
Line 4
“That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.
Line 5
Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?””

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?””

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.”

Pipe noun US /pipe/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading “He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?””

All words in this reading · 85

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 Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

Adams

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

From this reading Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.

always

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

came

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

cheerfully

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

closing

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

complacency

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

days

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

door

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

downstairs

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

familiar

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

finds

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

follow

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

forehead

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

grimly

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

From this reading “That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.

grown

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

health

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

historical

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

informed

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

From this reading “That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.

knee

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

From this reading Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.

lately

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

liked

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

lines

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

lowered

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

From this reading Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.

man

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

map

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

more

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

mother

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

news

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

newspaper

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

old

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

once

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

only

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.

pattern

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

peered

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

From this reading Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.

pipe

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

promising

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

reading

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

relaxed

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

restored

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

routine

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

said

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

sat

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

sees

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading “That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

spectacles

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

From this reading Adams lowered his newspaper to his knee and peered over his spectacles at her.

table

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

That's

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

From this reading “That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

troubles

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

undressed

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

From this reading He had not undressed, and he sat beside the table, smoking his pipe and reading his newspaper.

up

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

vaguer

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

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

Well

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.

what's

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Upon his forehead the lines in that old pattern, the historical map of his troubles, had grown a little vaguer lately; relaxed by the complacency of a man who not only finds his health restored, but sees the days before him promising once more a familiar routine that he has always liked to follow.

wife

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

From this reading As his wife came in, closing the door behind her, he looked up cheerfully, “Well, mother,” he said, “what's the news downstairs?”

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “That's what I came to tell you,” she informed him, grimly.