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Michael's Crag
Michael's Crag

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for Michael's Crag
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AT ARM'S LENGTH.
For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.
With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.
The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.
It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.
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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.

Michael's Crag

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AT ARM'S LENGTH.
Line 2
For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.
Line 3
With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.
Line 4
The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.
Line 5
It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

Learner Dictionary

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

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.”

LENGTH noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “AT ARM'S LENGTH.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.”

Meanwhile noun US /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading “With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.”

All words in this reading · 74

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

accepted

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From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

agreed

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

always

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

ARM'S

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

From this reading AT ARM'S LENGTH.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT ARM'S LENGTH.

awaiting

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

blackmail

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

competition

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

compunction

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

difficulty

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

display

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

doing

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

earn

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

else

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

engineer

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

enviable

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

Erasmus

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

four

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

hard

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

incomes

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

large

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

LENGTHnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading AT ARM'S LENGTH.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

living

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

meanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

men

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

money

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

most

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

paid

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

payment

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

pounds

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

raised

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

result

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

some

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

state

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

taking

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

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

ten

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

thousand

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

three

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

town

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

Tyrrel

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

unattainable

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.

Viaduct

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

Walker

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

Walter

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

weeks

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

Wharfedale

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

From this reading For three or four weeks Walter Tyrrel remained in town, awaiting the result of the Wharfedale Viaduct competition.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The great engineer accepted the money with as little compunction as men who earn large incomes always display in taking payment for doing nothing.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading With some difficulty he raised and paid over meanwhile to Erasmus Walker the ten thousand pounds of blackmail--for it was little else--agreed upon between them.

work

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

From this reading It is an enviable state of mind, unattainable by most of us who work hard for our living.