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The Bostonians, Vol. II (of II)
The Bostonians, Vol. II (of II)

Chapter V

Cover illustration for The Bostonians, Vol. II (of II)
Context Illustration Reading 1/89 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.
"Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.
In a very different line, Miss Tarrant!
Ability is no word for it; it's genius!"
She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Bostonians, Vol. II (of II)

Chapter V

Reading 1/89 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.
Line 2
"Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.
Line 3
In a very different line, Miss Tarrant!
Line 4
Ability is no word for it; it's genius!"
Line 5
She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “In a very different line, Miss Tarrant!”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.”

All words in this reading · 67

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 In a very different line, Miss Tarrant!

ability

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

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

all

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

answering

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

anxious

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

charming

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

chosen

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

close

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

conceal

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading In a very different line, Miss Tarrant!

easily

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

expressed

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

eyes

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

face

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

felt

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

fixed

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Ability is no word for it; it's genius!"

genius

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

From this reading Ability is no word for it; it's genius!"

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

hesitated

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

hurrying

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

Immense

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

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Ability is no word for it; it's genius!"

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

it's

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

From this reading Ability is no word for it; it's genius!"

kept

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

legs

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

line

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

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

Miss

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

From this reading In a very different line, Miss Tarrant!

most

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

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Ability is no word for it; it's genius!"

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

pace

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

rapid

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

reply

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

Tarrant

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

From this reading In a very different line, Miss Tarrant!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

there

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

touching

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

trepidation

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

try

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

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.

very

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

From this reading In a very different line, Miss Tarrant!

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

way

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

From this reading She felt his eyes on her face--ever so close and fixed there--after he had chosen to reply to her question that way.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He hesitated before answering, while his long legs easily kept pace with her rapid step--her charming, touching, hurrying step, which expressed all the trepidation she was anxious to conceal.

word

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

From this reading Ability is no word for it; it's genius!"

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Immense ability, but not in the line in which you most try to have it.