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Phoebe, Junior
Phoebe, Junior

Chapter XXX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AN EXTRAVAGANCE.
Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.
Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.
He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.
He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Phoebe, Junior

Chapter XXX

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AN EXTRAVAGANCE.
Line 2
Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.
Line 3
Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.
Line 4
He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.
Line 5
He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.”

Nobody pronoun US /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading “Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading AN EXTRAVAGANCE.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

any

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

approaching

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

avowedly

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

better

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

Clarence

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

Copperhead

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

coquetry

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

crisis

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

dearly

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

dinner

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

Dissenting

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.

early

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

enjoyed

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

enjoying

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

From this reading He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.

evening

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

expenditure

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

EXTRAVAGANCE

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

From this reading AN EXTRAVAGANCE.

feelings

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

flirtation

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.

glimmer

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

going

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

half-amused

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

half-fatherly

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

half-scornful

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

heavily

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

Horace

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

housekeeping

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.

insight

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

liberal

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

liked

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

living

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

meetings

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

men

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

minister

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

more

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

much

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

NobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

Northcote

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

notice

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

occur

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

others

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

paid

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

particular

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

people

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

Phoebe

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

preferring

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

pretty

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

purpose

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

saw

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

social

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

son

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

startled

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

strain

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

talk

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

three

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was enjoying himself in his way, and he had not done that for a long time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

too

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

From this reading He dearly liked the better way of living, the more liberal strain of housekeeping and expenditure; he liked the social meetings in the evening, the talk after dinner with the three young men, the half-fatherly flirtation with Phoebe, which she too enjoyed much, avowedly preferring him, with pretty coquetry, to the others.

veering

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

visit

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

way

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nobody could have been more startled than he, had he been told of the purpose with which Horace Northcote, the Dissenting minister, had paid his early morning visit; and though he had a half-scornful, half-amused glimmer of insight into the feelings of his son, and saw that Clarence Copperhead was heavily veering the same way, it did not occur to him that any crisis was approaching.

young

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

From this reading Mr. May did not take any particular notice of what was going on around him among the young people.