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A Prince of Sinners
A Prince of Sinners

Chapter III

Cover illustration for A Prince of Sinners
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
The times were ripe for a change of any sort.
An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
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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 Prince of Sinners

Chapter III

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
Line 2
The times were ripe for a change of any sort.
Line 3
An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
Line 4
Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
Line 5
Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

Learner Dictionary

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

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.”

QUESTION noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

almost

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

any

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

From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

certain

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

change

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

From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.

Conservatives

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

COUNTRY

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

declared

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

depression

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

drained

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

elsewhere

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

empire

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

factories

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

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

hold

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

idle

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

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

ill-conducted

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

imported

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

industry

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

Kingdom

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

known

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

largest

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

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

local

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

lost

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

majority

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

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

manufacturers

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

manufactures

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

many

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

Medchester

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

paralyzing

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

perhaps

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

prices

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

QUESTIONnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

remainder

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

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

ripe

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

From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.

ruinous

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

severely

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

sort

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

From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

staple

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

States

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

suffering

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

surplus

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

three-quarters

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

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

times

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

From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

town

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

United

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.

war

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

wealth

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

From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.

worked

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

From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.

years

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

From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.