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Harold's Bride: A Tale
Harold's Bride: A Tale

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for Harold's Bride: A Tale
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.
Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.
Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.
After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.
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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.

Harold's Bride: A Tale

Chapter VI

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
Line 2
ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.
Line 3
Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.
Line 4
Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.
Line 5
After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.”

Dream noun US /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading “Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.”

FIRST noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FIRST IMPRESSIONS.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

ALICIA'S

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

From this reading ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

arm-chair

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

arrival

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

From this reading ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.

arrived

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

asleep

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.

away

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

bedstead

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

charpai

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

cheerless

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

From this reading ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.

cold

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

comfort

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

familiar

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

father-in-law

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

February

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

FIRSTnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

give

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

From this reading Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.

greetings

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

Harold's

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

hastily

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

home

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

From this reading ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.

IMPRESSIONS

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

From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

kindly

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

lad

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

middle

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

midst

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

moment

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

From this reading Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.

night

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

old

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

overcome

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

rather

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

From this reading ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.

ready

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

From this reading Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.

Robin

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

roused

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

see

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

slumber

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

small

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

sound

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

sprang

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

From this reading Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.

turned

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

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

Up

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

From this reading Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.

voice

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

warm

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

From this reading Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading ALICIA’S was rather a cheerless arrival at home.

welcome

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

From this reading Up in a moment sprang Robin, ready to give a warm welcome.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Her old father-in-law was asleep on his charpai (small bedstead), and Robin, overcome by slumber on his arm-chair, was in the midst of a dream, when both were roused by the sound of Harold’s familiar voice.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading After kindly greetings were over, the lad turned hastily away to see what could be done for the comfort of those who had arrived in the middle of a cold February night.