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Martin Eden
Martin Eden

Chapter XXXVII

Cover illustration for Martin Eden
Context Illustration Reading 1/77 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.
As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.
He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.
His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.
It meant little to him now.
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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.

Martin Eden

Chapter XXXVII

Reading 1/77 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.
Line 2
As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.
Line 3
He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.
Line 4
His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.
Line 5
It meant little to him now.

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 “He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.”

Express verb US /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading “As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It meant little to him now.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.”

All words in this reading · 67

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 As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

beat

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

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

book

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

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

coldness

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

complimentary

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

contrasted

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

copies

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

cords

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

cut

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

delight

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

fell

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

few

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

fraction

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

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

gone

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

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

half-dozen

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

happened

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

heavy

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It meant little to him now.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It meant little to him now.

Martin

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

meant

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

From this reading It meant little to him now.

months

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

now

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

From this reading It meant little to him now.

October

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

From this reading “The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

only

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

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

out

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

package

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

present

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

published

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

From this reading “The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.

publishers

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

pulse

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

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

sad

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

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

sadness

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

Shame

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

From this reading “The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

spilled

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

Sun

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

From this reading “The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.

table

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

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It meant little to him now.

uncaring

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

up

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

From this reading His book, his first book, and his pulse had not gone up a fraction of a beat, and he was only sad.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading “The Shame of the Sun” was published in October.

wild

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He thought of the wild delight that would have been his had this happened a few short months before, and he contrasted that delight that should have been with his present uncaring coldness.