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The Old Wives' Tale
The Old Wives' Tale

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for The Old Wives' Tale
Context Illustration Reading 1/72 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
The weather was extremely cold.
Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
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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 Old Wives' Tale

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/72 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
Line 2
Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
Line 3
The weather was extremely cold.
Line 4
Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
Line 5
Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

Learner Dictionary

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

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.”

Owing noun US /owing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

almost

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

AlthoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

apparently

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

apron

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

away

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

Baines

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

blue

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

borders

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

chapel

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

CHRISTMAS

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

cold

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

From this reading The weather was extremely cold.

Constance

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

decided

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

designed

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

die

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

dress

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

extremely

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

From this reading The weather was extremely cold.

fact

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

fender

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

fire

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

flue

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

fro

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

front

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

furious

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

FUTURE

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

gently

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

go

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

grate

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

grown

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

harmonium

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

hassock

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

heat

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

hymn

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

immense

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

influence

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

insensible

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

like

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

many

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

mediaeval

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

mittened

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

mourning

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

Mr

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

Mrs

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

near

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

owing

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

playing

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

Povey

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

Povey's

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

rather

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

red

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

rocking-chair

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

room

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

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

sat

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

shopkeepers

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

swayed

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

temperature

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

tune

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

vagaries

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

very

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.

weather

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

From this reading The weather was extremely cold.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.

white

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

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.