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Father Sergius
Father Sergius

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Father Sergius
Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.
He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.
Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.
But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.
He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.
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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.

Father Sergius

Chapter IV

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.
Line 2
He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.
Line 3
Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.
Line 4
But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.
Line 5
He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

Learner Dictionary

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

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading “But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.”

Pleased noun US /ˈpleased/

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

From this reading “He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.”

Precious adjective US /ˈpreʃəs/

rare and worth a great deal

From this reading “He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.”

Unto preposition US /ˈʌntuː/

an old word for “to”

From this reading “But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

advice

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

All

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

allowed

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

also

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

answering

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

approach

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

arouse

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

away

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

From this reading Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

blessing

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

children

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

crowd

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

drive

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

From this reading Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.

emotion

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

Father

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

From this reading Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

folk

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

Forbid

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

gathered

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

Gospel

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

interesting

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

knew

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

liked

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

necessary

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

new

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

old

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

oppressed

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

pity

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/

rare and worth a great deal

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

questions

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

railing

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

recollection

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

religious

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

remembering

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

rose

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

said

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

saying

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

From this reading Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.

see

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

Seraphim

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

From this reading Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.

Sergius

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

From this reading Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

story

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

tenderly

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

tired

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

From this reading Father Seraphim began to drive them away, saying that Father Sergius was tired.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

touched

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/

an old word for “to”

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

voice

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading All this was an old story and not in the least interesting to him.

weak

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

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He rose, went to the railing beyond which the crowd had gathered, and began blessing them and answering their questions, but in a voice so weak that he was touched with pity for himself.

words

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

From this reading But Father Sergius, remembering the words of the Gospel: ‘Forbid them’ (children) ‘not to come unto me,’ and feeling tenderly towards himself at this recollection, said they should be allowed to approach.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He knew he would hear nothing new from these folk, that they would arouse no religious emotion in him; but he liked to see the crowd to which his blessing and advice was necessary and precious, so while that crowd oppressed him it also pleased him.