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Kenelm Chillingly — Volume 01
Kenelm Chillingly — Volume 01

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for Kenelm Chillingly — Volume 01
Context Illustration Reading 1/3 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.
He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.
He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.
During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.
But he evidently spoke the less in order to reflect the more.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Kenelm Chillingly — Volume 01

Chapter VI

Reading 1/3 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.
Line 2
He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.
Line 3
He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.
Line 4
During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.
Line 5
But he evidently spoke the less in order to reflect the more.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.”

DESPITE preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.”

Equanimity noun US /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

From this reading “He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But he evidently spoke the less in order to reflect the more.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.”

All words in this reading · 61

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

acquired

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

attribute

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

childhood

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

Chillingly

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

ci-devant

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

DESPITEprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

dignity

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

earlier

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

equanimitynounUS /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

From this reading He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.

evidently

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

From this reading But he evidently spoke the less in order to reflect the more.

exercise

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

existence

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

gradually

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.

heir-at-law

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.

humanity

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

indeed

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

infant

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

lavishly

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

less

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

From this reading But he evidently spoke the less in order to reflect the more.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

measles

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

From this reading He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.

more

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

From this reading But he evidently spoke the less in order to reflect the more.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But he evidently spoke the less in order to reflect the more.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

philosophical

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

From this reading He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.

prematurely

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

Pythagoras

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

reflect

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

From this reading But he evidently spoke the less in order to reflect the more.

safety

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

school

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

semi-predictions

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

sinister

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

special

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

speech

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

spoke

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

stages

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But he evidently spoke the less in order to reflect the more.

too

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.

trained

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

use

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

From this reading He gradually acquired the use of speech, but he did not too lavishly exercise that special attribute of humanity.

whooping-cough

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

From this reading He took his measles and whooping-cough with philosophical equanimity.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.

years

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

From this reading During the earlier years of childhood he spoke as little as if he had been prematurely trained in the school of Pythagoras.

youthful

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

From this reading DESPITE the sinister semi-predictions of the /ci-devant/ heir-at-law, the youthful Chillingly passed with safety, and indeed with dignity, through the infant stages of existence.