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The Old Wives' Tale
The Old Wives' Tale

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for The Old Wives' Tale
Context Illustration Reading 1/62 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.
She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.
Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."
That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.
And now, she was a widow!
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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 XII

Reading 1/62 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.
Line 2
She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.
Line 3
Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."
Line 4
That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.
Line 5
And now, she was a widow!

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.”

Worn verb US /wɔːrn/

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading “She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.”

All words in this reading · 64

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 She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

advanced

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

ago

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

From this reading That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

Baines

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

Constance

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

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

dear

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

death

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

disadvantages

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

expectant

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

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

father

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

hope

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

I'm

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

intimidated

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

mother

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

Mrs

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

now

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

From this reading And now, she was a widow!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

only

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

opinion

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.

parlour

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

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

perfectly

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

From this reading That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.

positively

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

public

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

remembered

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

From this reading That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

said

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

set

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

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

sufficiently

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

talked

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

tea-table

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

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

tone

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

twenty

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

From this reading That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.

unwillingly

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

various

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

wear

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

wearing

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

weeds

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

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

WIDOW

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

From this reading THE WIDOW I Constance, alone in the parlour, stood expectant by the set tea-table.

won't

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

wornverbUS /wɔːrn/

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading She was not wearing weeds; her mother and she, on the death of her father, had talked of the various disadvantages of weeds; her mother had worn them unwillingly, and only because a public opinion not sufficiently advanced had intimidated her.

years

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

From this reading That was over twenty years ago, but Constance perfectly remembered.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."

youth

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

From this reading Constance had said: "If ever I'm a widow I won't wear them," positively, in the tone of youth; and Mrs. Baines had replied: "I hope you won't, my dear."