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Chapter XIII · The Prodigal's Return

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Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
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When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.
The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.
Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.
He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.
"Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.
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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.

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Chapter XIII · The Prodigal's Return

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.
Line 2
The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.
Line 3
Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.
Line 4
He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.
Line 5
"Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.”

Brandy noun US /ˈbrændi/

a strong alcoholic drink distilled from wine

From this reading “"Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.”

Suppose noun US /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading “"Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

approached

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

Baregrove

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

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

brandynounUS /ˈbrændi/

a strong alcoholic drink distilled from wine

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

church

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

clock

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

company

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

correctly

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

customers

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

door

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

drop

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

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

early

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

entrance

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

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

fatal

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

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

Fate

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

fit

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

four

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

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

friend

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

hiccuping

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

hour

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

hours

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

Immediately

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

late

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

malicious

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

Mat

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

more

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

neighboring

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

new

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

ordained

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

own

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

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

parched

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

parting

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

public-house

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

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

public-houses

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

reached

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

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

seized

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

small

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

speak

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

Square

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

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

stopping

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

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The neighboring church clock struck the hour as he approached his own door.

subsided

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

SupposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

thirst

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

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

try

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

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Suppose I try what a drop of brandy will do for me," thought Zack, stopping at the fatal entrance of the public-house.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Immediately after parting with Mat, malicious Fate so ordained it that he passed one of those late--or, to speak more correctly, early--public-houses, which are open to customers during the "small hours" of the morning.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading He was parched with thirst; and the hiccuping fit which had seized him in the company of his new friend had not yet subsided.

Zack

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

From this reading When Zack reached Baregrove Square, it was four in the morning.