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Clipped Wings
Clipped Wings

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for Clipped Wings
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
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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.

Clipped Wings

Chapter VI

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
Line 2
Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
Line 3
Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
Line 4
The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
Line 5
And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

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 “And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.”

Born noun US /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.”

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading “The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.”

Imagine noun US /ˈimagine/

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

From this reading “Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.”

All words in this reading · 83

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 The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

acquaintance

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

afraid

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

all

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

any

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

back

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

bornnounUS /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

declaration

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

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

devotion

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

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

ears

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

echoed

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

Eldon's

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

enough

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

exquisitely

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

feel

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

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

felt

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

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

find

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

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/

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

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

improvise

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

inconveniences

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

Indeed

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

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

just

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

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

knew

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

less

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

loved

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

man

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

matter

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

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

more

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

much

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

nice

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

number

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

old

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

phrase

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

probably

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

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

really

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

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

said

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

say

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

Sheila

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

soon

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

speak

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

stranger

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

to-day

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

too

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

total

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

unwelcome

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

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

wanted

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

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

woman

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

From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.

words

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

From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.

yesterday

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

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.