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The Puritans
The Puritans

Chapter XVI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
"It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
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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 Puritans

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
Line 2
It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
Line 3
Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
Line 4
The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
Line 5
"It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.”

Meanwhile noun US /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading “Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.”

Pulled noun US /pulled/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"”

All words in this reading · 75

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 The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

affair

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

always

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

came

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

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

church

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

cousin

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

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

day

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

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

decide

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

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

decision

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

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

definite

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

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

difficult

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

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

down

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

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

exactly

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

former

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

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

Fortunately

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

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

going

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

inclination

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

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

isn't

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

laid

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

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

makes

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

matter

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

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

Maurice

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

MeanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

mouth

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

Mrs

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

necessary

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

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

now

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

out

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

place

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

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

plans

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

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

practically

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

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

problem

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

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

profession

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

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

pullednounUS /pulled/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

reshaping

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

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

said

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

settled

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

From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.

shaping

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

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

Staggchase

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

talk

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

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

want

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.

woman

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

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"