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Chapter IX
IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE. With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door. I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him. There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it. Then I heard a stir in the library, and my uncle opened the door.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.”
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.”
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I heard a stir in the library, and my uncle opened the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I heard a stir in the library, and my uncle opened the door.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I heard a stir in the library, and my uncle opened the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I heard a stir in the library, and my uncle opened the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
