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The Black Baronet
The Black Baronet

Chapter XXXV

Cover illustration for The Black Baronet
Context Illustration Reading 1/70 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
--Some to Laugh and some to Weep at.
Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.
The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.
That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.
His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Black Baronet

Chapter XXXV

Reading 1/70 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
--Some to Laugh and some to Weep at.
Line 2
Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.
Line 3
The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.
Line 4
That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.
Line 5
His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.”

Disposition noun US /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/

the way something is arranged or positioned

From this reading “That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.”

Unless conjunction US /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading “His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.”

All words in this reading · 83

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 Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

absolutely

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

also

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading --Some to Laugh and some to Weep at.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading --Some to Laugh and some to Weep at.

avoided

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

bad

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

character

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

commencement

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

concealed

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

concerned

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

conduct

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

cynical

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

deeply

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

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/

the way something is arranged or positioned

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

fact

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

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

far

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

felt

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

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

few

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

general

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

Gourlay

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

harshness

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

husband

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

known

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

Laugh

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

From this reading --Some to Laugh and some to Weep at.

led

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

man

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

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

narrative

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

observations

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

observed

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

overbearing

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

own

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

personal

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

readers

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

say

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

secluded

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

severe

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

Sir

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

society

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

Some

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

From this reading --Some to Laugh and some to Weep at.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

temper

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

tenor

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

Thomas

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

From this reading Our readers may have observed that Sir Thomas Gourlay led a secluded life ever since the commencement of our narrative.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading --Some to Laugh and some to Weep at.

too

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

unjust

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

unpopular

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

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

unvaried

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

violence

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The fact was, and he felt it deeply, that he had long been an unpopular man.

Weep

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

From this reading --Some to Laugh and some to Weep at.

well

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His observations on life and personal character were also so cynical and severe, not to say unjust, that his society was absolutely avoided, unless by some few of his own disposition.

wife

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

From this reading That he was a bad, overbearing husband, too, had been well known, for such was the violence of his temper, and the unvaried harshness of his disposition toward his wife, that the general tenor of his conduct, so far even as she was concerned, could not be concealed.