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Robert Elsmere
Robert Elsmere

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Robert Elsmere
Context Illustration Reading 1/113 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.
Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.
But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.
But, alas! with the end of November a season of furious rain set in.
Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.
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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.

Robert Elsmere

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/113 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.
Line 2
Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.
Line 3
But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.
Line 4
But, alas! with the end of November a season of furious rain set in.
Line 5
Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

Learner Dictionary

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

Alas exclamation US /əˈlæs/

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading “But, alas! with the end of November a season of furious rain set in.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.”

Meanwhile noun US /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading “Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.”

Nightmare noun US /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/

A terrifying or distressing dream.

From this reading “Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.”

Theirs pronoun US /ðerz/

the one or ones belonging to them

From this reading “But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading But, alas! with the end of November a season of furious rain set in.

all

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

anxiety

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

any

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

apparently

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

applied

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

boiled

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

Catherine

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

confiding

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

damp

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

declared

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

defiance

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

dreams

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

dry

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

End

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

energy

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

enough

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

exertion

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

far

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

filth

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

folk

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

followed

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

furious

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

From this reading But, alas! with the end of November a season of furious rain set in.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

hard

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

heed

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

hoped

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

hopeless

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

illness

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

laws

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

lived

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

making

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

MeanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

measures

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

Mile

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

more

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

much

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/

A terrifying or distressing dream.

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

November

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

From this reading But, alas! with the end of November a season of furious rain set in.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

outbreak

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

paid

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

palliatives

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

people

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

poisoned

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

preached

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

radical

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

rain

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

From this reading But, alas! with the end of November a season of furious rain set in.

reach

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

redoubled

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

removal

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

Robert

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

sanitary

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

season

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

From this reading But, alas! with the end of November a season of furious rain set in.

set

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

From this reading But, alas! with the end of November a season of furious rain set in.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

soon

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

theirspronounUS /ðerz/

the one or ones belonging to them

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

Then

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

there

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

throve

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

universe

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

From this reading Meanwhile the poor poisoned folk at Mile End lived and apparently throve, in defiance of all the laws of the universe.

unusual

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

use

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

watch

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

From this reading Then Robert began to watch Mile End with anxiety, for so far every outbreak of illness there had followed upon unusual damp.

water

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

winter

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

From this reading But he was not confiding enough to believe that the people paid much heed, and he hoped more from a dry hard winter than from any exertion either of his or theirs.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Robert, as soon as he found that radical measures were for the time hopeless, had applied himself with redoubled energy to making the people use such palliatives as were within their reach, and had preached boiled water and the removal of filth till, as he declared to Catherine, his dreams were one long sanitary nightmare.