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The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23, section 1: Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure. By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-hous
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.
By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.
An irresistible feeling kept Hester near the spot.
As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.
It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.
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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 Scarlet Letter

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.
Line 2
By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.
Line 3
An irresistible feeling kept Hester near the spot.
Line 4
As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.
Line 5
It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

Learner Dictionary

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

laughing adjective US /ˈlæfɪŋ/

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading “Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.”

Collocations
Laughing soA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
so shrillyA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 78

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

accents

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

admit

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

all

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

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading An irresistible feeling kept Hester near the spot.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

auditor

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

bring

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

close

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

commencing

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

departure

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

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

Dimmesdale

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

discourse

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

ears

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

edifice

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading An irresistible feeling kept Hester near the spot.

flow

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

gentlewoman

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

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

heard

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

Hester

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

From this reading An irresistible feeling kept Hester near the spot.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

indistinct

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

irresistible

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

From this reading An irresistible feeling kept Hester near the spot.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

kept

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

From this reading An irresistible feeling kept Hester near the spot.

LaughingadjectiveUS /ˈlæfɪŋ/

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

market-place

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

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

meeting-house

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

minister's

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

Mr

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

much

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

murmur

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

near

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

From this reading An irresistible feeling kept Hester near the spot.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

offered

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

old

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

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

peculiar

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

pillory

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

position

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

prayer

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

preliminary

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

proximity

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

Reverend

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

sacred

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

scaffold

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

sermon

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

shape

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

shrilly

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

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

spot

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

From this reading An irresistible feeling kept Hester near the spot.

sufficient

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

thronged

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

too

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

up

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

varied

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

very

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

voice

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading As the sacred edifice was too much thronged to admit another auditor, she took up her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory.

weird

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

From this reading Laughing so shrilly that all the market-place could hear her, the weird old gentlewoman took her departure.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading By this time the preliminary prayer had been offered in the meeting-house, and the accents of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale were heard commencing his discourse.

whole

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

From this reading It was in sufficient proximity to bring the whole sermon to her ears, in the shape of an indistinct but varied murmur and flow of the minister’s very peculiar voice.