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Xingu
Xingu

Chapter I

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Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.
To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.
The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.
The club was to meet at Mrs. Bellinger’s.
The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.
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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.

Xingu

Chapter I

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.
Line 2
To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.
Line 3
The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.
Line 4
The club was to meet at Mrs. Bellinger’s.
Line 5
The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

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 “The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.”

Indomitable adjective US /ˌɪndəˈmɑtəbəl/

impossible to defeat or discourage

From this reading “To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.”

All words in this reading · 102

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 other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

accepted

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

acquired

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

always

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

arrival

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

association

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

back

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

Ballinger

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

bands

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

became

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

Bellinger's

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

From this reading The club was to meet at Mrs. Bellinger’s.

cede

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

celebrated

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

celebrities

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

Club

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

composed

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

Culture

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

Dane

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

dangerous

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

day

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

debate

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

deploring

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

distinction

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

distinguished

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

duly

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

end

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

entertainment

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

erudition

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

extended

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

fall

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

favor

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

founded

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

four

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

functions

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

Hillbridge

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

house

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

huntresses

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

impressive

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

indomitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndəˈmɑtəbəl/

impossible to defeat or discourage

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

invitation

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

ladies

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

Leveret

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

local

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

Lunch

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

lunching

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

made

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

meet

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

meeting

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

members

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

more

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

Mrs

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

observed

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

Osric

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

other

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

picture-gallery

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

Plinth

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

present

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

pursue

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

recognition

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

rights

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

setting

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

several

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

strangers

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

there

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

three

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

unwillingness

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

voice

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The club was to meet at Mrs. Bellinger’s.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

winters

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.