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Jude the Obscure
Jude the Obscure

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for Jude the Obscure
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.
Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.
“Yes!” cried Arabella, laughing.
“Here we are, just the same.
We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn’t we?
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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.

Jude the Obscure

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.
Line 2
Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.
Line 3
“Yes!” cried Arabella, laughing.
Line 4
“Here we are, just the same.
Line 5
We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn’t we?

Learner Dictionary

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

Ashamed adjective US /əˈʃeɪmd/

feeling guilt or embarrassment after doing something that causes embarrassment

From this reading “We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn’t we?”

Astonished adjective US /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading ““Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.”

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Yes!” cried Arabella, laughing.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Here we are, just the same.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn’t we?”

Ourselves pronoun US /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading “We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn’t we?”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Here we are, just the same.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading “Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.”

All words in this reading · 52

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

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

Arabella

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

From this reading “Yes!” cried Arabella, laughing.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “Here we are, just the same.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

ashamedadjectiveUS /əˈʃeɪmd/

feeling guilt or embarrassment after doing something that causes embarrassment

From this reading We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn’t we?

astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading “Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading “Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

broad

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

burning

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

card-playing

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yes!” cried Arabella, laughing.

curtains

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

daylight

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

doors

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

drawn

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

earlier

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

eleven

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

gas

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

guests

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here we are, just the same.

Hosts

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

hours

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

just

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

From this reading “Here we are, just the same.

laughing

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

From this reading “Yes!” cried Arabella, laughing.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn’t we?

oughtn't

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

From this reading We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn’t we?

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn’t we?

out

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

precisely

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

said

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

From this reading “Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here we are, just the same.

sitting

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.

talking

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.

two

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Here we are, just the same.

Well

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

From this reading “Well—to be sure!” he said, astonished.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking, precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight for two hours out of doors.

Yes

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

From this reading “Yes!” cried Arabella, laughing.