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A Rogue's Life
A Rogue's Life

Chapter X

Cover illustration for A Rogue's Life
Context Illustration Reading 1/12 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.
No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.
Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.
Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.
By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.
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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 Rogue's Life

Chapter X

Reading 1/12 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.
Line 2
No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.
Line 3
Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.
Line 4
Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.
Line 5
By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

Learner Dictionary

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

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.”

Betrayal noun US /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/

The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.

From this reading “MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.”

Doctor noun US /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.”

Inquisition noun US /ˌɪn.kwɪˈzɪʃ.ən/

A period of prolonged and intensive questioning or investigation.

From this reading “MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.”

Worthy adjective US /ˈwɜːr.ði/

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading “MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.”

All words in this reading · 87

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 MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

alike

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

From this reading By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

all

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

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

assembled

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

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

betrayalnounUS /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/

The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

certain

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

days

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

DoctornounUS /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

Dulcifer

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

ear

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

effectually

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

From this reading By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

experience

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

eye

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

few

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

followed

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

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

Holy

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

home

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

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

InquisitionnounUS /ˌɪn.kwɪˈzɪʃ.ən/

A period of prolonged and intensive questioning or investigation.

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

keeping

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

From this reading By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

knew

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

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

listening

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

lived

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

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

man

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

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

men

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

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

new

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

observing

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

out

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

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

overlooked

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

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

Peepholes

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

pierced

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

position

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

preserved

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

probably

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

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

roof

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

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

room

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

satisfied

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

surveillance

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

system

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

together

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

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

trusted

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

From this reading By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

union

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

From this reading By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

united

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

From this reading Though we all lived together, we were probably the least united body of men ever assembled under one roof.

up

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

From this reading By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

very

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

wall

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

want

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

From this reading By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

way

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

From this reading By way of effectually keeping up the want of union between us, we were not all trusted alike.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading No man of us ever knew that he was not being overlooked at home, or followed when he went out, by another man.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

work

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

From this reading Peepholes were pierced in the wall of each room, and we were never certain, while at work, whose eye was observing, or whose ear was listening in secret.

worst

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

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.

worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading MY first few days’ experience in my new position satisfied me that Doctor Dulcifer preserved himself from betrayal by a system of surveillance worthy of the very worst days of the Holy Inquisition itself.