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Bessie Costrell
Bessie Costrell

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Bessie Costrell
Context Illustration Reading 1/108 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.
It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.
Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.
The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.
Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.
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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.

Bessie Costrell

Chapter I

Reading 1/108 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.
Line 2
It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.
Line 3
Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.
Line 4
The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.
Line 5
Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.”

Chalk noun US /tʃɔːk/

A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.

From this reading “The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.”

Chilly adjective US /ˈtʃɪli/

unpleasantly cold

From this reading “It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.”

Glowing noun US /ˈglowing/

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

From this reading “Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.”

Radiant adjective US /ˈreɪdiənt/

shining brightly

From this reading “The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

advancing

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

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

AgainstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

August

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

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

background

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

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

breaking

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/

A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/

unpleasantly cold

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

clouds

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

cloudy

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

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

DAVID

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

From this reading "ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.

day

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

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

delicate

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

departing

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

ELSMERE

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

From this reading "ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.

engulfed

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

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

ETC

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

From this reading "ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.

evening

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

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

forcing

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

glowingnounUS /ˈglowing/

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

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

golds

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

greys

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

GRIEVE

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

From this reading "ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

hill

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

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

HISTORY

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

From this reading "ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

lattice-work

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

lay

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

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

level

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

light

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

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

MARCELLA

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

From this reading "ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.

masses

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

Now

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiənt/

shining brightly

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

ROBERT

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

From this reading "ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

sun

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

sunset

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

temperature

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

unusually

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

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

up

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

village

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

From this reading Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by the advancing shadow.

warmer

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.

way

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

From this reading Now, about sunset, the temperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds, breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys.

wheat-fields

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

From this reading The last radiant light was on the wheat-fields under the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself.

year

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

From this reading It was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year.