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Old Ebenezer
Old Ebenezer

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Old Ebenezer
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AT THE CREEK.
Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.
About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.
Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."
And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.
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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.

Old Ebenezer

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AT THE CREEK.
Line 2
Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.
Line 3
About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.
Line 4
Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."
Line 5
And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

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 “About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.”

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.”

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

always

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT THE CREEK.

banker's

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

birds

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

bluffs

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

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

called

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

CREEK

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

From this reading AT THE CREEK.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

elm

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

gaze

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

gone

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

grass

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

held

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

house

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

journeys

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

joy-riot

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

land

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

lane-like

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

late

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

Leap

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

leave

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

led

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

lie

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

limestone

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

listen

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

Lover's

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

Lyman

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

meditative

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

melody

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

mile

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

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

often

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

other

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

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

out

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

past

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

pouring

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

rocks

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

romantic

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

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

Sawyer

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

shaded

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

Shortly

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

side

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

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

slope

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

stream

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

street

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

stroll

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AT THE CREEK.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading And on these journeys he always went through the shaded lane-like street that led past the banker's house.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

tower

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

trees

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

tumble

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

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

water

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

From this reading Of late he had gone often to this stream, not to listen to the melody of water pouring over the rocks, not to hear the birds that held a joy-riot in the trees, but to lie in the grass on a slope, beneath an elm, and gaze across at a limestone tower called "Lover's Leap."

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading About a mile and a half distant was a creek, with great bluffs on one side, and with a romantic tumble of land on the other.

wooded

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

From this reading Shortly after Sawyer took his leave, Lyman went out for a meditative stroll in the wooded land.