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A Duel
A Duel

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for A Duel
Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.
They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.
In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.
There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.
They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.
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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.

A Duel

Chapter XII

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.
Line 2
They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.
Line 3
In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.
Line 4
There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.
Line 5
They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.

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 “There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “"THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.”

Sovereign adjective US /ˈsɑːv.rən/

Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.

From this reading “They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

beautiful

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

best

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

blooms

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

bud

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

bunch

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

bursting

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

charming

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

contrast

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

cost

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

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

enough

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

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

examples

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

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

exhibition

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

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

fingers

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

France

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

GORDIAN

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

green

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

just

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

kind

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

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

KNOT

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

La

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.

London

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

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

many

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

money

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

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

Mr

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

probably

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

From this reading They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.

ribbon

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

roses

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

satisfaction

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

scarcely

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

seen

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

smile

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

some

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

From this reading They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.

sovereignadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːv.rən/

Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.

From this reading They had probably cost some one at least half a sovereign.

stage

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

Talfourd

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

There

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

tied

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

From this reading There were a great many of them, and they were tied about with a beautiful green ribbon, in charming contrast with the blooms.

twiddled

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

very

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were very fine roses--in just that stage of bursting bud in which the La France is seen at its best.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading In London La France roses cost money, even when they are poor examples of their kind; those were good enough for exhibition.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "THE GORDIAN KNOT" Mr. Talfourd twiddled the bunch of La France roses between his fingers with a smile which was scarcely one of satisfaction.