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Dombey and Son
Dombey and Son

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Dombey and Son is here in full — 353 sentences across 71 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/70 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.
But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.
Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.
He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.
Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Dombey and Son

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Dombey and Son is here in full — 353 sentences across 71 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/70 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.
Line 2
But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.
Line 3
Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.
Line 4
He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.
Line 5
Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.”

All words in this reading · 132

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

act

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

affairs

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

afresh

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

again

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

Amazing

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

an

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

and

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

any

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

appointed

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

Artfulness

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

as

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

astounding

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

back

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

Barbados

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

be

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

because

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

become

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

blow

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

break

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

business

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

But

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

by

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

Captain

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

cast

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

change

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

cheerful

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

cherished

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

chief

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

confirmation

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

could

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

Cuttle

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

dashing

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

days

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

debt

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

decide

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

difficulty

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

distressing

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

do

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

Dombey

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

down

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

even

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

faint

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

felt

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

first

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

for

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

from

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

Gay

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

give

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

go

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

greater

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

had

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

have

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

he

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

hesitating

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

him

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

his

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

hope

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

hopeful

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

how

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

idea

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

improbable

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

in

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

intelligence

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

it

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

itself

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

lately

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

little

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

longer

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

lose

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

man

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

manfully

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

meant

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

might

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

Mr

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

much

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

must

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

necessity

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

new

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

none

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

not

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

nothing

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

occurred

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

of

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

old

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

or

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

paid

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

parlour

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

piece

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

portion

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

Pursuit

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

recovered

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

rest

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

said

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

sensible

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

several

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

slipping

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

so

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

Sol

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

Sol's

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

some

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

spirits

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

sprung

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

such

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

sufficiently

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

tell

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

terrible

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

that

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

the

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

they

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

this

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

through

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

time

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

to

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

touch

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

troubles

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

Uncle

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

up

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

very

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

Walter

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

Walter's

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

was

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

way

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

what

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

From this reading Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a new Pursuit for Walter Gay Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business; and even cherished some faint hope that Mr Dombey might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind, and tell him he was not to go.

when

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

which

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

whom

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

with

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

From this reading He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Sol’s spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful, that the little back parlour was itself again.

without

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

From this reading But as nothing occurred to give this idea (which was sufficiently improbable in itself) any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by, and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act, without hesitating any longer.

working

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

From this reading Uncle Sol had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr Dombey, and was hopeful of working his way through the rest; and to cast him down afresh, when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles, was a very distressing necessity.

would

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

From this reading Walter’s chief difficulty was, how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Sol, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow.

Chapter 11 of Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens holds 353 sentences, grouped into 71 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 11 of Dombey and Son contain?

Chapter 11 holds 353 sentences of Dombey and Son, unabridged, divided into 71 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 353 sentences, grouped into 71 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 11 of Dombey and Son?

Work through the 71 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 71 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 11 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Dombey and Son

Common questions about reading Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Dombey and Son?

Yes. All 16397 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #821 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Dombey and Son is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #821, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Dombey and Son take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 3280 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Dombey and Son section by section

How to work through Dombey and Son section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of Dombey and Son to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Dombey and Son

Words and structures a reader meets early in Dombey and Son, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dombey and Son; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Timely
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dombey and Son; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Provision
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dombey and Son; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Emergency
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dombey and Son; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.