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Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3
Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 is here in full — 170 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.
Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.
But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.
She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.
She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 is here in full — 170 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.
Line 2
Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.
Line 3
But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.
Line 4
She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.
Line 5
She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

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.

acquaintances noun US /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading “She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.”

bonnet noun US /ˈbɑːnət/

a hat tied under the chin

From this reading “She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.”

confidences noun US /ˈkɑːnfədənsɪz/

plural of “confidence” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading “CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.”

convenience noun US /kənˈviːnjəns/

the state of being suitable or opportune

From this reading “Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.”

displayed verb US /dɪˈspleɪd/

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading “She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.”

flourishing adjective US /ˈflɜːrɪʃɪŋ/

very lively and profitable

From this reading “But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.”

matrimony noun US /ˈmætrəmoʊni/

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading “She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.”

Molly noun US /ˈmɑːli/

popular aquarium fish

From this reading “She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.”

All words in this reading · 105

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

admirationnounUS /ˌædmərˈeɪʃən/

a feeling of delighted approval and liking

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

Bessy

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

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/

a hat tied under the chin

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

Brunton

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

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

cloaknounUS /kloʊk/

anything that covers or conceals

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

CONFIDENCESnounUS /ˈkɑːnfədənsɪz/

plural of “confidence” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

conveniencenounUS /kənˈviːnjəns/

the state of being suitable or opportune

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

Corney

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

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

Dawsons

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

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

envynounUS /ˈenvi/

a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

farmernounUS /ˈfɑːrmər/

a person who operates a farm

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

flourishingadjectiveUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃɪŋ/

very lively and profitable

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

formeradjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmər/

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

fortunateadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənət/

having unexpected good fortune

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

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

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

habitnounUS /ˈhæbət/

an established custom

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

Hartswell

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

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

knowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

livedverbUS /lɪvd/

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

market-town

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

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/

joined in matrimony

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

matrimonynounUS /ˈmætrəmoʊni/

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

MollynounUS /ˈmɑːli/

popular aquarium fish

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

Monkshaven

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

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

notionnounUS /ˈnoʊʃən/

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

regardedverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/

not often

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

sightnounUS /saɪt/

an instance of visual perception

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

speakverbUS /spiːk/

express in speech

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading She had no notion, she said, of coming such a long journey only to see Bessy and her husband, and not to have a sight of her former acquaintances at Monkshaven.

summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

tolerablyadverb

in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading CONFIDENCES It was a little later on in that same summer that Mrs. Brunton came to visit her sister Bessy.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

well-to-doadjective

in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Bessy was married to a tolerably well-to-do farmer who lived at an almost equal distance between Monkshaven and Hartswell; but from old habit and convenience the latter was regarded as the Dawsons' market-town; so Bessy seldom or never saw her old friends in Monkshaven.

wishesnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪz/

plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire

From this reading But Mrs. Brunton was far too flourishing a person not to speak out her wishes, and have her own way.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

wonderingadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərɪŋ/

showing curiosity

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading She might have added, that her new bonnet and cloak would be as good as lost if it was not displayed among those who, knowing her as Molly Corney, and being less fortunate in matrimony than she was, would look upon it with wondering admiration, if not with envy.

Chapter 9 of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell holds 170 sentences, grouped into 34 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 9 of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 contain?

Chapter 9 holds 170 sentences of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 170 sentences, grouped into 34 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 9 of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3

Common questions about reading Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3?

Yes. All 2252 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4536 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4536, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 take to read?

About 187 minutes of reading across 451 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 section by section

How to work through Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 15 chapters of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3 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 Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3

Words and structures a reader meets early in Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Philip's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Declension
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Happened
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sylvia's Lovers — Volume 3; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.