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The Cathedral
The Cathedral

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for The Cathedral
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.
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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.

The Cathedral

Chapter XI

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.
Line 2
He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.
Line 3
And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.
Line 4
As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.
Line 5
He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

Learner Dictionary

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

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.”

Nodded noun US /nodded/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.”

All words in this reading · 93

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 And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

affirmative

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

all

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

almost

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

asking

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

attitude

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

begged

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

book

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

buried

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

butchers

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

cathedral

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

coffee

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

comment

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

compelled

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

constantly

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

cup

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

despotic

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

Durtal

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

endure

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

escape

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

flannel

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

fly

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

front

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

full

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

harangue

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

heart

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

hoped

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

hours

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

housekeeper

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

incoherent

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

knew

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

knowing

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

Madame

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

meal

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

meat

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

Mesurat

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

mutton-cutlet

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

noddednounUS /nodded/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

nose

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

obsequious

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

often

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

once

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

placed

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

read

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

repellent

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

serve

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

service

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

servile

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

sketchy

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

soon

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

study

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

table

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

thus

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Durtal had begged his housekeeper, Madame Mesurat, to serve his coffee in his study.

town

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

turning

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

ventured

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He knew the book he was turning over almost by heart, for he had often read it between the hours of service at the cathedral.

well

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He thus hoped to escape having her constantly standing in front of him, as she did all through his meal, asking him if his mutton-cutlet were good.

woman

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

From this reading As soon as this woman, at once servile, despotic, and obsequious, had placed his cup on the table, he buried his nose in a book, and by his repellent attitude compelled her to fly.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading And though that meat had a taste of flannel, Durtal had nodded a sketchy affirmative, knowing full well that if he ventured on the least comment he would have to endure an incoherent harangue on all the butchers in the town.