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Opening a Chestnut Burr
Opening a Chestnut Burr

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Opening a Chestnut Burr
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.
His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?
He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.
He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.
"She is a witch," he muttered.
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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.

Opening a Chestnut Burr

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.
Line 2
His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?
Line 3
He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.
Line 4
He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.
Line 5
"She is a witch," he muttered.

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.”

Muttered verb US /ˈmʌtərd/

spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear

From this reading “"She is a witch," he muttered.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

admitted

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

afghan

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

ago

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

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

asleep

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

blazed

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

cared

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

consciousness

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

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

contrary

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

expectation

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

fire

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

genial

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

glanced

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

Gregory's

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

hearth

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

HOBBY

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

hours

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

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

how

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

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

infolded

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "She is a witch," he muttered.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

low

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

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

MISS

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

music

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

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/

spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear

From this reading "She is a witch," he muttered.

nearly

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

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

purpose

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

RECOMMENDS

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

remembered

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

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

saw

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

several

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

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "She is a witch," he muttered.

slept

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

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

surprise

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

sweet

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

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

then

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

two

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

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

waked

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

WALTON

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

From this reading MISS WALTON RECOMMENDS A HOBBY To Gregory's surprise he waked and then admitted to himself that, contrary to his expectation and purpose, he had been asleep.

warmth

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

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His last remembered consciousness was that of sweet, low music; and how long ago was that?

watch

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

From this reading He looked at his watch; it was nearly two, and he must have slept several hours.

witch

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

From this reading "She is a witch," he muttered.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He glanced around and saw that he was alone, but the fire still blazed on the hearth, and the afghan infolded him with its genial warmth as before, and it seemed that although by himself he was still cared for.