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Jonah's Luck
Jonah's Luck

Chapter XIX

Cover illustration for Jonah's Luck
Context Illustration Reading 1/57 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MRS.
MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.
Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.
But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.
Hitherto, owing to the attentions of various friends, this had been impossible.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Jonah's Luck

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/57 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MRS.
Line 2
MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.
Line 3
Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.
Line 4
But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.
Line 5
Hitherto, owing to the attentions of various friends, this had been impossible.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.”

Confidential adjective US /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/

spoken privately and not for general knowledge

From this reading “But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.”

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.”

Owing noun US /owing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hitherto, owing to the attentions of various friends, this had been impossible.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

ACCUSATION

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

Angus

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

appear

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

attentions

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

From this reading Hitherto, owing to the attentions of various friends, this had been impossible.

awkward

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

Browne

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

called

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/

spoken privately and not for general knowledge

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

custom

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

departed

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

dinner

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

drawing-room

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

Elspeth

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

evening

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

fall

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

friends

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

From this reading Hitherto, owing to the attentions of various friends, this had been impossible.

future

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

glad

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

Hitherto

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

From this reading Hitherto, owing to the attentions of various friends, this had been impossible.

host

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

ill

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

impossible

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

From this reading Hitherto, owing to the attentions of various friends, this had been impossible.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

instance

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

moments

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

most

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

MOUNTFORD'S

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

MRS

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

From this reading MRS.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

out

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

owing

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

From this reading Hitherto, owing to the attentions of various friends, this had been impossible.

patients

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

position

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

quiet

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

rather

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

sat

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

severe-looking

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

side

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

talk

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MOUNTFORD'S ACCUSATION That same evening, after dinner, Angus and Elspeth sat side by side in the severe-looking drawing-room.

TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

unexpectedly

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

usual

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

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

various

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

From this reading Hitherto, owing to the attentions of various friends, this had been impossible.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Their host had been called out unexpectedly, after the usual custom of patients, who appear to fall ill at the most awkward moments.

wished

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.

young

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

From this reading But in this instance the young couple were rather glad that Browne had departed, as they wished to have a quiet and confidential talk about their position and their future.