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Gilian The Dreamer
Gilian The Dreamer

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Gilian The Dreamer is here in full — 144 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.
Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.
He’s scarcely all there,” said he, by the look of him.
He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”
Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Gilian The Dreamer

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Gilian The Dreamer is here in full — 144 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.
Line 2
Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.
Line 3
He’s scarcely all there,” said he, “by the look of him.
Line 4
He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”
Line 5
Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

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.

barrow noun US /ˈbæroʊ/

the quantity that a barrow will hold

From this reading “Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.”

contending verb US /kənˈtendɪŋ/

-ing form of “contend” — maintain or assert

From this reading “Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.”

eaves noun US /iːvz/

the overhang at the lower edge of a roof

From this reading “The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.”

eccentricity noun US /ˌeksənˈtrɪsəti/

strange and unconventional behavior

From this reading “Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.”

errant adjective US /ˈerənt/

straying from the right course or from accepted standards

From this reading “Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.”

nip verb US /nɪp/

squeeze tightly between the fingers

From this reading “The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.”

sheltering verb US /ˈʃeltərɪŋ/

-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for

From this reading “Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.”

woebegone adjective US /ˈwoʊbɪɡɔːn/

worn and broken down by hard use

From this reading “The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.”

All words in this reading · 109

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading “He’s scarcely all there,” said he, “by the look of him.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

armnounUS /ɑːrm/

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

barrownounUS /ˈbæroʊ/

the quantity that a barrow will hold

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

boynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

Breck

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

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “He’s scarcely all there,” said he, “by the look of him.

commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

contendingverbUS /kənˈtendɪŋ/

-ing form of “contend” — maintain or assert

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/

table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

CrossingnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/

traveling across

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”

disgracefuladjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡreɪsfəl/

giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

dominienoun

a clergyman; especially a settled minister or parson

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

Donacha

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

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/

a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

earsnounUS /ɪrz/

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

eavesnounUS /iːvz/

the overhang at the lower edge of a roof

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

eccentricitynounUS /ˌeksənˈtrɪsəti/

strange and unconventional behavior

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/

violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

errantadjectiveUS /ˈerənt/

straying from the right course or from accepted standards

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/

plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

glucking

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

He's

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

From this reading “He’s scarcely all there,” said he, “by the look of him.

hensnounUS /henz/

plural of “hen” — adult female chicken

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

jacket-collar

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

leaningadjectiveUS /ˈliːnɪŋ/

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

lodgingnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋ/

structures collectively in which people are housed

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading “He’s scarcely all there,” said he, “by the look of him.

lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

meetverbUS /miːt/

come together

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

moodilyadverb

in a moody manner

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

nipverbUS /nɪp/

squeeze tightly between the fingers

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/

held or filled or in use

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

Paymaster's

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

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

pupilnounUS /ˈpjuːpəl/

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

rah

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

From this reading He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”

ranverbUS /ræn/

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

retreatnounUS /riˈtriːt/

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

rone-mouths

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “He’s scarcely all there,” said he, “by the look of him.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

scarcelyadverbUS /ˈskersli/

only a very short time before

From this reading “He’s scarcely all there,” said he, “by the look of him.

schoolnounUS /skuːl/

an educational institution

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

shelteringverbUS /ˈʃeltərɪŋ/

-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

shiningadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”

shoulderverbUS /ˈʃoʊldər/

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

sightnounUS /saɪt/

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

streetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”

syvers

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading “He’s scarcely all there,” said he, “by the look of him.

threwverbUS /θruː/

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

townnounUS /taʊn/

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

umbrellanounUS /əmˈbrelə/

a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

wanderingadjectiveUS /ˈwɑːndərɪŋ/

migratory

From this reading He’s wandering about in the rah as if it was a fine summer day and the sun shining.”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

wetadjectiveUS /wet/

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Crossing from the school to his lodging, an arm occupied by a great bundle of books, the other contending with an umbrella, was the dominie, and he started at the sight of his errant pupil who nearly ran against him before his presence was observed.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

wind-blown

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

From this reading Donacha Breck, leaning over his counter and moodily looking at the hens sheltering their wind-blown feathers under his barrow, saw him pass and threw over his shoulder to his wife behind a comment upon the eccentricity of the Paymaster’s boy.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

woebegoneadjectiveUS /ˈwoʊbɪɡɔːn/

worn and broken down by hard use

From this reading The town was dripping at its eaves and glucking full of waters at rone-mouths and syvers when he got into it after his disgraceful retreat He was alone in the street as he walked through it, a wet woebegone figure with a jacket-collar high up to the ears to meet the nip of the elements.

Chapter 17 of Gilian The Dreamer by Neil Munro holds 144 sentences, grouped into 29 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, 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 17 of Gilian The Dreamer contain?

Chapter 17 holds 144 sentences of Gilian The Dreamer, unabridged, divided into 29 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of Gilian The Dreamer by Neil Munro exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 144 sentences, grouped into 29 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 17 of Gilian The Dreamer?

Work through the 29 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 29 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 Gilian The Dreamer

Common questions about reading Gilian The Dreamer by Neil Munro on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Gilian The Dreamer?

Yes. All 4894 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #22211 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Gilian The Dreamer is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #22211, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Gilian The Dreamer take to read?

About 407 minutes of reading across 979 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Gilian The Dreamer section by section

How to work through Gilian The Dreamer section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 35 chapters of Gilian The Dreamer 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 Gilian The Dreamer

Words and structures a reader meets early in Gilian The Dreamer, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Round
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Gilian The Dreamer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Clerk
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Gilian The Dreamer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Paymaster
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Gilian The Dreamer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sorry
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Gilian The Dreamer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.