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From One Generation to Another
From One Generation to Another

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for From One Generation to Another
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
“Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”
Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.
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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.

From One Generation to Another

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.
Line 2
“Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”
Line 3
Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.
Line 4
His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.
Line 5
She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.”

Thin adjective US /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading “She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

advertisement

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

Africa

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

all

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

awful

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

back

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

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

ceased

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

Coast

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

cutting

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

depart

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

diminutive

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

engaged

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

enough

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

From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”

flannel

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

garment

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

gave

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

gentle

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

getting

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

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

girl

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

From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”

gladness

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

Glynde

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

hair

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

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

happy

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

From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”

head

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

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

husband's

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

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”

jerked

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

made

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

Making

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

MOTIVES

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

mute

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

newspaper

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

occupation

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

OfprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

operation

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

out

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

performing

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

Pooh

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

From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”

pretence

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

proportions

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

read

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

said

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

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

scarlet

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

sense

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

snips

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

steamships

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

study

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

table

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “Pooh! the girl is happy enough!”

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

TWO

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

up

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

vain

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

watching

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

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.

West

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

From this reading Mr. Glynde jerked his newspaper up and read an advertisement of steamships about to depart to the West Coast of Africa.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading She looked at the back of her husband's head, where the hair was getting a little thin, and said nothing.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

wife

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

From this reading His wife--engaged in cutting out a scarlet flannel garment of diminutive proportions (an operation which she made a point of performing on the study table)--gave two gentle snips and ceased her occupation.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading TWO MOTIVES Making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute shadow watching all.