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John Caldigate
John Caldigate

Chapter XXX

Cover illustration for John Caldigate
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.
Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.
My readers will not perhaps agree with him.
The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.
A good many 'ifs' were necessary.
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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.

John Caldigate

Chapter XXX

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.
Line 2
Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.
Line 3
My readers will not perhaps agree with him.
Line 4
The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.
Line 5
A good many 'ifs' were necessary.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.”

Cruel adjective US /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading “Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A good many 'ifs' were necessary.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.”

Let auxiliary verb US /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My readers will not perhaps agree with him.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

agree

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

From this reading My readers will not perhaps agree with him.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

also

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

Bagwax

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

Bagwax's

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

bed

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

Chambers

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

clear

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

collected

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

conscientiously

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

considered

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

Curlydown's

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

discreet

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

evidence

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

finding

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

functionary

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A good many 'ifs' were necessary.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading My readers will not perhaps agree with him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

humane

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

husband

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

ifs

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

From this reading A good many 'ifs' were necessary.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

insinuations

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

John

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

Joram's

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

judge

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

jury

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

many

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

From this reading A good many 'ifs' were necessary.

matter

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

Mr

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My readers will not perhaps agree with him.

necessary

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

From this reading A good many 'ifs' were necessary.

night

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading My readers will not perhaps agree with him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

out

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

perhaps

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

From this reading My readers will not perhaps agree with him.

powerful

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

prison

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

probable

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

readers

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

From this reading My readers will not perhaps agree with him.

regarded

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

Secretaries

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

Secretary

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

sentence

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

seriously

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

Sir

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

State

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

theory

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The finding of a jury and the sentence of a judge must be regarded seriously by Secretaries of State, and it is probable that Bagwax's theory would not make itself clear to that great functionary.

unfortunate

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

very

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

From this reading Sir John Joram's Chambers Mr. Curlydown's insinuations had been very cruel, but also very powerful.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading A good many 'ifs' were necessary.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading My readers will not perhaps agree with him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading My readers will not perhaps agree with him.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Bagwax, as he considered the matter that night in his bed, did conscientiously think that a discreet and humane Secretary of State would let the unfortunate husband out of prison on the evidence which he (Bagwax) had already collected.