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Grisly Grisell
Grisly Grisell

Chapter XXIII · Grisell’s Patience

Cover illustration for Grisly Grisell
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.
WORDSWORTH, _Incident at Bruges_.
MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.
One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.
He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Grisly Grisell

Chapter XXIII · Grisell’s Patience

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.
Line 2
WORDSWORTH, _Incident at Bruges_.
Line 3
MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.
Line 4
One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.
Line 5
He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.”

MEANWHILE noun US /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading “MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.”

Thine pronoun US /ðaɪn/

an old word for “yours”

From this reading “One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.”

All words in this reading · 83

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 One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

ascertain

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading WORDSWORTH, _Incident at Bruges_.

attracted

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

back

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

ballads

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

Bruges

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

From this reading WORDSWORTH, _Incident at Bruges_.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

chiefly

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

chords

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

close

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

dear

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

doubly

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

ear

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

England

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

English

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

exclaimed

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

face

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

fallen

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

feel

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

future

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

going

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

Grisell

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

how

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

Incident

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

From this reading WORDSWORTH, _Incident at Bruges_.

inclining

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

Leonard

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

making

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

Mary

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

matters

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

MEANWHILEnounUS /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

needed

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

old

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

Philip

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

recovering

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

sad

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

sang

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

sat

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

Scrope

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

silent

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

St

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

starting

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

stick

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

strain

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

sweet

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

thinepronounUS /ðaɪn/

an old word for “yours”

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

turned

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

up

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

vexing

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

voice

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

way

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

Wearmouth

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

From this reading MEANWHILE Leonard was recovering and vexing himself as to his future course, inclining chiefly to making his way back to Wearmouth to ascertain how matters were going in England.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He exclaimed, “By St. Mary, Philip Scrope,” and starting up, began to feel for the stick which he still needed.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

window

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

From this reading One afternoon, however, as he sat close to thine window, while Grisell sang to him one of her sweet old ballads, a face, attracted by the English words and voice, was turned up to him.

words

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

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.

WORDSWORTH

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

From this reading WORDSWORTH, _Incident at Bruges_.

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, Yet sad as sweet,—for English words Had fallen upon the ear.