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Saxe Holm's Stories: First Series
Saxe Holm's Stories: First Series

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Saxe Holm's Stories: First Series
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.
Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.
Excitement filled the air.
Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.
Old Ike's joy was more than he could manage.
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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.

Saxe Holm's Stories: First Series

Chapter V

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.
Line 2
Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.
Line 3
Excitement filled the air.
Line 4
Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.
Line 5
Old Ike's joy was more than he could manage.

Learner Dictionary

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

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.”

Born noun US /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Old Ike's joy was more than he could manage.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.”

Heir noun US /er/

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading “Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

air

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

From this reading Excitement filled the air.

all

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

arrived

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

bornnounUS /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

corners

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Old Ike's joy was more than he could manage.

Draxy's

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

dwelt

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

earnestly

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

Excitement

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

From this reading Excitement filled the air.

filled

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

From this reading Excitement filled the air.

first-born

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

fro

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

gates

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

great-hearted

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Old Ike's joy was more than he could manage.

heirnounUS /er/

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

house

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

Ike's

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

From this reading Old Ike's joy was more than he could manage.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

joy

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

From this reading Old Ike's joy was more than he could manage.

knots

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

LittlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

lowly

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

manage

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

From this reading Old Ike's joy was more than he could manage.

more

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

NevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

news

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

Old

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

From this reading Old Ike's joy was more than he could manage.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

others

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

passing

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

people

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

politics

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

rapidly

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

royal

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

simple-minded

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

some

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

son

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

stranger

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

street

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

supposed

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

talking

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

village

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

walking

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

war

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

welcomed

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Little knots of people stood at gates, on corners, all talking earnestly; others were walking rapidly to and fro in the street.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

woman

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

From this reading Never was heir to royal house more welcomed than was the first-born son of this simple-minded, great-hearted woman, by the lowly people among whom she dwelt.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading On the morning when Draxy's son was born, a stranger passing through the village would have supposed that some great news of war or of politics had arrived.