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Denzil Quarrier
Denzil Quarrier

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for Denzil Quarrier
Context Illustration Reading 1/53 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.
Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.
The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.
"Why do we never see you?" she wrote.
"They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?
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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.

Denzil Quarrier

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/53 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.
Line 2
Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.
Line 3
The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.
Line 4
"Why do we never see you?" she wrote.
Line 5
"They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

Learner Dictionary

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

Accounts noun US /ˈaccounts/

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

From this reading “Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Why do we never see you?" she wrote.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?”

Third noun US /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.”

Whilst conjunction US /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.”

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 His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

accountsnounUS /ˈaccounts/

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

arrived

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

attendant

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

avoid

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

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

came

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

condemned

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

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

contained

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Why do we never see you?" she wrote.

endurance

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

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

England

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

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

envelopes

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

evening

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

examined

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

fire

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

formerly

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

frequent

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

friends

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

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

glanced

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

guest

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

high

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

house

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

interesting

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

invitations

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

lady

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

letters

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

light

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

missive

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

more

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Why do we never see you?" she wrote.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

position

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

prepared

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

pressing

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

re-rendered

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

readiness

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

reference

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

rendered

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

rooms

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

see

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

From this reading "Why do we never see you?" she wrote.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "Why do we never see you?" she wrote.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

social

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

some

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

supper

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

thirdnounUS /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

threw

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

Two

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Why do we never see you?" she wrote.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading His rooms were in readiness for him, and whilst the attendant prepared a light supper, he examined some letters which had arrived that evening.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading The third missive was more interesting; it came from a lady of high social position at whose house he had formerly been a frequent guest.

Why

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

From this reading "Why do we never see you?" she wrote.

winter

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

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

writing

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

From this reading Two of the envelopes contained pressing invitations--with reference to accounts rendered and re-rendered; he glanced over the writing and threw them into the fire.

wrote

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

From this reading "Why do we never see you?" she wrote.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Why do we never see you?" she wrote.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "They tell me you have passed the winter in England; why should you avoid your friends who have been condemned to the same endurance?