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Kenelm Chillingly — Volume 08
Kenelm Chillingly — Volume 08

Chapter III

Cover illustration for Kenelm Chillingly — Volume 08
Context Illustration Reading 1/6 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.
Then he was seated next to Cecilia.
There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.
"Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."
"A gain to what?" asked Sir Peter, testily.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Kenelm Chillingly — Volume 08

Chapter III

Reading 1/6 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.
Line 2
Then he was seated next to Cecilia.
Line 3
There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.
Line 4
"Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."
Line 5
"A gain to what?" asked Sir Peter, testily.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"A gain to what?" asked Sir Peter, testily.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he was seated next to Cecilia.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

appeared

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

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "A gain to what?" asked Sir Peter, testily.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

Cecilia

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

From this reading Then he was seated next to Cecilia.

Chillingly

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

clever

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

conversation

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

dearth

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

dinner

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

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

election

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

engrossing

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

fact

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

father

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

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

gain

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

general

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

Glenalvon

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

Gordon's

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

interest

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

KENELM

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

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

Lady

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

men

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

mother

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

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he was seated next to Cecilia.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

only

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

Parliament

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

Peter

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

From this reading "A gain to what?" asked Sir Peter, testily.

predictions

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

prevalent

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

rising

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

said

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

seated

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

From this reading Then he was seated next to Cecilia.

see

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

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

Sir

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

From this reading "A gain to what?" asked Sir Peter, testily.

subject

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

success

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

talk

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

testily

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

From this reading "A gain to what?" asked Sir Peter, testily.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

Then

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

From this reading Then he was seated next to Cecilia.

There

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading KENELM did not see either father or mother till he appeared at dinner.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Then he was seated next to Cecilia.

two

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

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Then he was seated next to Cecilia.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading There was but little conversation between the two; in fact, the prevalent subject of talk was general and engrossing, the interest in Chillingly Gordon's election; predictions of his success, of what he would do in Parliament.

young

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

From this reading "Where," said Lady Glenalvon, "there is such a dearth of rising young men, that if he were only half as clever as he is he would be a gain."