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The Tangled Skein
The Tangled Skein

Chapter XIV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/50 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Tangled Skein

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
Line 2
She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
Line 3
As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
Line 4
As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
Line 5
No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.”

HAND noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.”

Moreover adverb US /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading “As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.

actual

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

always

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

analyse

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

boy

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

cheated

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

child

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

concerned

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

cry

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

From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.

daughter

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

days

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

deathbed

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

destiny

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

disappointed

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

doing

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

doubt

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

Earl

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

end

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

English

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

far

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

FATE

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

From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.

feelings

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

forced

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

future

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

gallant

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

girl

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

given

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.

HAND

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

From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

hideously

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

husband

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

just

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

like

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

lying

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

marry

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

mere

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

nobleman

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

only

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

out

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

paroxysm

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

pattern

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

perception

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

pointed

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

real

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

remain

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

rule

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

scarcely

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

single

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

swear

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

tears

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

teens

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

tiny

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

toys

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

troubled

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

Truro

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

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

Ursula

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

From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

way

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

From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

Wessex

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

From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

worshipped

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

From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.