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A Modern Mercenary
A Modern Mercenary

Chapter XXXI

Cover illustration for A Modern Mercenary
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DUKE GUSTAVE.
Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.
For a time it exalts and quickens him.
Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.
Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Modern Mercenary

Chapter XXXI

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DUKE GUSTAVE.
Line 2
Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.
Line 3
For a time it exalts and quickens him.
Line 4
Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.
Line 5
Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a time it exalts and quickens him.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

acts

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading For a time it exalts and quickens him.

announced

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

British

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

condition

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

contract

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

contrary

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

created

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

departure

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

DUKE

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

From this reading DUKE GUSTAVE.

exalts

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

From this reading For a time it exalts and quickens him.

exhilaration

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

experiencing

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

fact

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

false

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a time it exalts and quickens him.

full

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

glass

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

GUSTAVE

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

From this reading DUKE GUSTAVE.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading For a time it exalts and quickens him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

independent

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For a time it exalts and quickens him.

listening

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

Maasau

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

man

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

master's

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

mental

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

minutes

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

morally

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

newly

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

physically

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

quickens

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

From this reading For a time it exalts and quickens him.

ratified

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

remains

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

rose

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

Sagan

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

said

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

self-gratulations

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

Selpdorf

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

sensation

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

some

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

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

success

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

thus

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For a time it exalts and quickens him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

weak

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

WhateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Duke Gustave of Maasau was in a condition of mental exhilaration, and experiencing to the full the false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Selpdorf, who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-gratulations on the newly ratified British contract rose as if to take his departure.

wine

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

From this reading Whatever may be said to the contrary, the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak one.