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Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete
Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete is here in full — 397 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.
At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.
The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.
July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.
TO THE LAKES.
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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.

Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete is here in full — 397 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.
Line 2
At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.
Line 3
The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.
/ðə nuː θɪŋz ɑːr beɪst ənd səˈpɔːrtɪd ɑːn ðə ˈstɜːrdi oʊld θɪŋz ənd ˈɔːfən ˈlɪmətəd ənd ˌɪmˈpiːdɪd baɪ ðem bʌt ðɪs ænˈtɪkwəti ɪz soʊ ˈmæsɪv ðæt ðer siːmz tuː biː noʊ miːnz ʌv ˈɡetɪŋ rɪd ʌv ɪt wɪˈθaʊt ˈterɪŋ səˈsaɪəti tuː ˈpiːsəz/
Line 4
July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.
Line 5
TO THE LAKES.
/tuː ðə leɪks/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

antiquity noun US /ænˈtɪkwəti/

the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe

From this reading “At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.”

bustling adjective US /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/

full of energetic and noisy activity

From this reading “At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.”

Coventry noun US /ˈkʌvəntri/

the state of being banished or ostracized (excluded from society by general consent)

From this reading “We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.”

emblem noun US /ˈembləm/

special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.

From this reading “At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.”

hurricane noun US /ˈhɜːrəkeɪn/

a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

From this reading “We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.”

impeded adjective US /ˌɪmˈpiːdɪd/

made difficult or slow

From this reading “The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.”

Liverpool noun US /ˈlɪvərpuːl/

a large city in northwestern England; its port is the country's major outlet for industrial exports

From this reading “July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.”

modification noun US /ˌmɑːdəfəˈkeɪʃən/

the act of making something different (as e.g. the size of a garment)

From this reading “At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.”

All words in this reading · 109

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

2

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

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

alighted

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

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

antiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/

the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

basedadjectiveUS /beɪst/

having a base

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

Bradon

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

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

bustlingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/

full of energetic and noisy activity

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/

for the most part

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

CoventrynounUS /ˈkʌvəntri/

the state of being banished or ostracized (excluded from society by general consent)

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

dnounUS /diː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

dealverbUS /diːl/

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

emblemnounUS /ˈembləm/

special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/

give expression to

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

familynounUS /ˈfæməli/

a social unit living together

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

gettingnounUS /ˈɡetɪŋ/

the act of acquiring something

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

hurricanenounUS /ˈhɜːrəkeɪn/

a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

impededadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpiːdɪd/

made difficult or slow

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/

-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

JulynounUS /ˌdʒuːˈlaɪ/

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

LAKESnounUS /leɪks/

plural of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading TO THE LAKES.

leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/

small in range or scope

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

LiverpoolnounUS /ˈlɪvərpuːl/

a large city in northwestern England; its port is the country's major outlet for industrial exports

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/

imposing in size or bulk or solidity

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

modificationnounUS /ˌmɑːdəfəˈkeɪʃən/

the act of making something different (as e.g. the size of a garment)

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

piecesnounUS /ˈpiːsəz/

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

ridverbUS /rɪd/

relieve from

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

seemsverbUS /siːmz/

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

speedverbUS /spiːd/

move hurridly

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

streetsnounUS /striːts/

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/

sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/

shedding tears

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

To-day

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

From this reading July 2d.--To-day I shall set out on my return to Liverpool, leaving my family here.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

trainverbUS /treɪn/

create by training and teaching

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

waitverbUS /weɪt/

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

waitedverbUS /ˈweɪtɪd/

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

wanderedverbUS /ˈwɑːndərd/

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/

in a weary manner

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading At Coventry again we had more than an hour to wait, and therefore wandered wearily up into the city, and took another look at its bustling streets, in which there seems to be a good emblem of what England itself really is,--with a great deal of antiquity in it, and which is now chiefly a modification of the old.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The new things are based and supported on the sturdy old things, and often limited and impeded by them; but this antiquity is so massive that there seems to be no means of getting rid of it without tearing society to pieces.

wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading We were now rather tired, and went to the railroad, intending to go home; but we got into the wrong train, and were carried by express, with hurricane speed, to Bradon, where we alighted, and waited a good while for the return train to Coventry.

Chapter 6 of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete by Nathaniel Hawthorne holds 397 sentences, grouped into 80 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 6 of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete contain?

Chapter 6 holds 397 sentences of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete by Nathaniel Hawthorne exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 397 sentences, grouped into 80 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 6 of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete?

Work through the 80 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 80 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete

Common questions about reading Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete by Nathaniel Hawthorne on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete?

Yes. All 8364 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #7878 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #7878, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1673 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete section by section

How to work through Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete

Words and structures a reader meets early in Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Valued
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Friend
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Generous
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Genial
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.