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The Young Lieutenant
The Young Lieutenant

Chapter XXV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.
To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.
He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.
It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.
In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Young Lieutenant

Chapter XXV

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.
Line 2
To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.
Line 3
He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.
Line 4
It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.
Line 5
In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.”

Astonished adjective US /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading “To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.”

Expect verb US /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading “It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.”

All words in this reading · 84

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

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

all

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

From this reading In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

arranged

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

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

asleep

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

BACK

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

beforehand

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

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

cellar

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

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

chimney

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

COMPELLED

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

conceal

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

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

concealment

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

confusion

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

defeated

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

From this reading In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

distinctly

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

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

enter

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

From this reading In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.

evident

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

expectations

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

From this reading In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.

expected

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

expressing

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

farmer

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

fear

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

find

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

fire-place

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

floor

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

hopeful

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

idea

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

jaws

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

justice

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

likely

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

mortification

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

opened

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

From this reading In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.

OUT

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

overwhelmed

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

resorted

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

retributive

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

ruin

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

saw

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

say

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

some

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

SOMERS

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

son

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

state

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

sufficiently

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

tamely

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

there

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

Tom

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

From this reading It had been distinctly arranged beforehand, that Tom, his son, should conceal himself in the cellar; and, of course, he did not expect to find him in the chimney.

too

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

trap

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

From this reading In short, all his expectations had been defeated, and he himself had opened the trap for his son to enter.

Very

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

Virginia

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

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading SOMERS IS COMPELLED TO BACK OUT Very likely the Virginia farmer had some idea of retributive justice when he saw his hopeful son step out of the fire-place into the very jaws of ruin.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading To say that he was astonished would be expressing his state of mind too tamely; for he was overwhelmed with confusion, fear and mortification.

Yankee

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

From this reading He had expected to find the Yankee asleep on the floor; but, as he was not there, it was sufficiently evident to him that he had again resorted to the chimney for concealment.