Read and study this complete chapter with synchronized narration, pronunciation, and vocabulary support.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Read the complete chapter in order, with its original wording preserved for focused English study.
My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.” “Harry!” exclaimed Hallward, frowning. “My dear fellow, I am not quite serious. But I can’t help detesting my relations.
Study this chapter through synchronized reading, listening, pronunciation, and contextual vocabulary.
Reading 48/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 236–240
These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading “My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.””
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading “My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.””
a person who is older than you are
From this reading “My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.””
showing displeasure or anger
From this reading “exclaimed Hallward, frowning.”
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading ““Harry!””
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading “But I can’t help detesting my relations.”
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading ““My dear fellow, I am not quite serious.”
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading “My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.””
Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.
Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “My dear fellow, I am not quite serious.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
any thing at all
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I can’t help detesting my relations.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I can’t help detesting my relations.
dearly loved
From this reading “My dear fellow, I am not quite serious.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I can’t help detesting my relations.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
a person who is older than you are
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading exclaimed Hallward, frowning.
a boy or man
From this reading “My dear fellow, I am not quite serious.
showing displeasure or anger
From this reading exclaimed Hallward, frowning.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading exclaimed Hallward, frowning.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading “Harry!”
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading But I can’t help detesting my relations.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “My dear fellow, I am not quite serious.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “My dear fellow, I am not quite serious.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “My dear fellow, I am not quite serious.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading But I can’t help detesting my relations.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading “My dear fellow, I am not quite serious.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading My elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.”
