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For the Defence
For the Defence

Chapter X · Further Mystery

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Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.
The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.
Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.
Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.
The inquest on the dead body was awaited with much anxiety.
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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.

For the Defence

Chapter X · Further Mystery

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.
Line 2
The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.
Line 3
Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.
Line 4
Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.
Line 5
The inquest on the dead body was awaited with much anxiety.

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 “Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The inquest on the dead body was awaited with much anxiety.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.”

Moreover adverb US /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading “Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.”

Mysterious adjective US /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading “Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.”

Throughout preposition US /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading “Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

absence

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

acquaintance

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

all

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

Also

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

always

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

Alymer

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

anxiety

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

From this reading The inquest on the dead body was awaited with much anxiety.

any

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

awaited

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

From this reading The inquest on the dead body was awaited with much anxiety.

became

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The inquest on the dead body was awaited with much anxiety.

bowing

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

claim

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

combined

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

consequence

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

countryside

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

county

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

curiosity

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

death

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

deceased

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

dismay

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

drawing-room

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

end

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

enemies

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

GreatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

hardly

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

highest

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

hunting-field

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

inquest

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

From this reading The inquest on the dead body was awaited with much anxiety.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

knowledge

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

known

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

man

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

manifested

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

Maurice

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

men

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

motive

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

much

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

murdered

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The inquest on the dead body was awaited with much anxiety.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

person

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

pitch

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

popular

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

public

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

raise

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

sympathy

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

there

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

thing's

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

untimely

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

From this reading Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

way

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

well

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

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him.