Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Young Lives
Young Lives

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for Young Lives
Context Illustration Reading 1/6 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.
He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.
A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.
Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.
And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Young Lives

Chapter XI

Reading 1/6 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.
Line 2
He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.
Line 3
A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.
Line 4
Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.
Line 5
And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.”

Thin adjective US /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading “Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.”

Worn verb US /wɔːrn/

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading “Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.”

All words in this reading · 109

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 He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

abnormally

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

actually

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

almost

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

also

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

any

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

From this reading A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

attracted

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

beings

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

black

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

broadcloth

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

certain

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

clerks

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

day

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

discovery

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

distinction

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

else

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

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

eyes

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

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

face

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

figure

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

fragile

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

frame

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

gaunt

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

heavy

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

Henry

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

HIGH

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

hollowed

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

human

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

HUMANITY

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

inside

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

keen

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

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

Lingard

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

made

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

more

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

much

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

musty

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

narrow

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

old

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

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

old-world

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

only

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

painfully

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

partner

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

partners

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

piercingly

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

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

PLACES

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

quaint

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

said

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

Searle

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

seldom

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

From this reading A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.

senior

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

Septimus

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

severity

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

shaven

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

sixty

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

solemn

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

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

spite

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

stranger

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

From this reading A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.

streets

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

From this reading A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.

surprising

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

tall

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

thousand

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

too

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

town

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

From this reading A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.

upright

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

walked

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

From this reading A stranger figure than Septimus Searle Lingard has seldom walked the streets of any town.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

weary

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

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading HUMANITY IN HIGH PLACES One day, however, Henry was to make the still more surprising discovery, that not only were the clerks human beings, but that one of the partners--only one of them--was also human.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading He made this discovery about the senior partner, whose old-world figure and quaint name, Septimus Searle Lingard, had, in spite of his severity, attracted him by a certain musty distinction.

world

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

From this reading And nothing in the world else was ever so piercingly solemn as his keen weary old eyes.

wornverbUS /wɔːrn/

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Though not actually much over sixty, you would have said he must be a thousand; his abnormally long, narrow, shaven face was so thin and gaunt and hollowed, and his tall, upright figure was so painfully fragile, that his black broadcloth seemed almost too heavy for the worn frame inside it.