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The Fighting Chance
The Fighting Chance

Chapter III · The Season Opens

Cover illustration for The Fighting Chance
Context Illustration Reading 1/140 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.
Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.
Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.
And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.
But at the British breakfast he drew the line.
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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 Fighting Chance

Chapter III · The Season Opens

Reading 1/140 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.
Line 2
Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.
Line 3
Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.
Line 4
And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.
Line 5
But at the British breakfast he drew the line.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But at the British breakfast he drew the line.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.”

Partly noun US /partly/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

Alderdene

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

From this reading Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

American

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

any

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

become

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

Breakfast

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

British

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But at the British breakfast he drew the line.

compromise

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

concession

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

country

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

custom

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

customs

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

detested

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But at the British breakfast he drew the line.

English

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

Englishman

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

entertained

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

exotic

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

fashion

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

Ferrall

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

force

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

guests

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading But at the British breakfast he drew the line.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

house

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

houses

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

impossible

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.

jeer

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

language

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

line

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

From this reading But at the British breakfast he drew the line.

luxurious

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

method

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

most

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

necessity

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

other

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

own

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

partly

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

From this reading Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.

practically

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

reasonable

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

sent

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

served

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

sheer

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

Shotover

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

sideboard

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

sluggards

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

there

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

From this reading Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.

things

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

trays

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

two

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

unable

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

universal

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

usually

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

From this reading Ferrall, reasonable in most things, detested customs exotic, and usually had an Englishman or two about the house to tell them so, being unable to jeer in any language except his own.

Voucher

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

From this reading Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.

WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.

whompronounUS /huːm/

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

From this reading Breakfast at Shotover, except for the luxurious sluggards to whom trays were sent, was served in the English fashion--any other method or compromise being impossible.

why

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

From this reading Which is partly why Alderdene and Voucher were there.

wrung

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

From this reading And this British sideboard breakfast was a concession wrung from him through force of sheer necessity, although the custom had already become practically universal in American country houses where guests were entertained.