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John Halifax, Gentleman
John Halifax, Gentleman

Chapter XXVII

Cover illustration for John Halifax, Gentleman
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Summer waned.
Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.
The mornings grew hazy and dewy.
We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.
Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."
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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.

John Halifax, Gentleman

Chapter XXVII

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Summer waned.
Line 2
Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.
Line 3
The mornings grew hazy and dewy.
Line 4
We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.
Line 5
Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."”

Hazy adjective US /ˈheɪzi/

unclear or blurred, especially from drink

From this reading “The mornings grew hazy and dewy.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.”

All words in this reading · 72

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

all

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

AlreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

always

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

any

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

autumn

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

beech-wood

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

ceased

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

children

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

common

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

dewy

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

From this reading The mornings grew hazy and dewy.

early

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

else

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

eye

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

father

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

favourite

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

flowers

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

grew

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

From this reading The mornings grew hazy and dewy.

ground-thistle

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

hazyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪzi/

unclear or blurred, especially from drink

From this reading The mornings grew hazy and dewy.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

John's

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

kept

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

large

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

midst

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

missed

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

mornings

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

From this reading The mornings grew hazy and dewy.

Muriel

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

out

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

purple

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

red

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

repeating

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

show

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

slow

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

sorely

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

stirring

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

Summer

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

From this reading Summer waned.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

terrace

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

turn

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

up

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

walk

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

walks

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

waned

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

From this reading Summer waned.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Her father at first missed her sorely, but always kept repeating that "early walks were not good for children."

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading We ceased to take Muriel out with us in our slow walk along John's favourite "terrace" before any one else was stirring.

yellow

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

From this reading Already the beech-wood began to turn red, and the little yellow autumn flowers to show themselves all over the common, while in the midst of them looked up the large purple eye of the ground-thistle.