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The Three Clerks
The Three Clerks

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for The Three Clerks
Context Illustration Reading 1/109 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'
'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."
'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'
'Crinoline and Macassar!' said Uncle Bat.
'Are they intended for human beings' names?'
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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 Three Clerks

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/109 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'
Line 2
'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."
Line 3
'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'
Line 4
'Crinoline and Macassar!' said Uncle Bat.
Line 5
'Are they intended for human beings' names?'

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."”

Gentlemen noun US /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'”

All words in this reading · 53

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 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

all

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

apologetically

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading 'Are they intended for human beings' names?'

AUNT'S

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

Bat

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

From this reading 'Crinoline and Macassar!' said Uncle Bat.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

begin

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

beings

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

From this reading 'Are they intended for human beings' names?'

Charles

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

From this reading 'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'

Charley

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

CRINOLINE

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading 'Are they intended for human beings' names?'

gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'

human

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

From this reading 'Are they intended for human beings' names?'

intended

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

From this reading 'Are they intended for human beings' names?'

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

It's

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

Ladies

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

From this reading 'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'

Linda

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

MACASSAR

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

Mr

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

From this reading 'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'

Mrs

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'

names

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

From this reading 'Are they intended for human beings' names?'

new

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

From this reading 'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'

novel

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

From this reading 'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

only

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

ORconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

poetry

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

said

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

song

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading 'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'

then

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

there

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading 'Are they intended for human beings' names?'

Tudor's

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

From this reading 'Ladies and gentlemen, that is the name of Mr. Charles Tudor's new novel.'

Uncle

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

From this reading 'Crinoline and Macassar!' said Uncle Bat.

verse

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

From this reading 'It's only a song,' said Charley, apologetically--'and after all there is only one verse of that'--and then Mrs. Woodward began "CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

Well

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

WILLmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'

Woodward

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

From this reading CRINOLINE AND MACASSAR; OR, MY AUNT'S WILL 'Well, Linda was right,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'it does begin with poetry.'