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The Competitive Nephew
The Competitive Nephew

Chapter III

Cover illustration for The Competitive Nephew
Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"
Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.
The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.
"I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.
"Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"
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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.

The Competitive Nephew

Chapter III

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"
Line 2
Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.
Line 3
The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.
Line 4
"I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.
Line 5
"Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"

Learner Dictionary

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

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.”

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “"I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “"Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"”

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"”

Rejoined noun US /ˈrejoined/

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

From this reading “"_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.”

Third noun US /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"”

All words in this reading · 66

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 "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

admit

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading "I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.

arrived

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

From this reading "I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

atmosphere

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

clerks

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

coffee

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

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading "Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"

couldn't

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

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"

cup

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

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

customer

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"

door

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

extolling

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

fairly

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"

hired

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.

jumped

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

later

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

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

Natuerlich

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

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

nervously

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

newly

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

From this reading "I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

opened

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

rejoinednounUS /ˈrejoined/

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

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

salesman

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

Shimko

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

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

sir

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

From this reading "Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"

stentorian

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

store

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

suffocating

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

supplemented

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

telephone

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.

thirdnounUS /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

tones

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

turned

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

From this reading "I couldn't think of it," Zamp answered, and turned to the newly arrived customer.

two

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

virtues

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

wares

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

Well

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

From this reading "Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Well, sir," he cried, "what could I do for _you_?"

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "_Natuerlich_," Shimko rejoined, "but couldn't you take a cup coffee with us a little later?"

Zamp

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

From this reading Zamp jumped nervously as the door opened to admit another customer.

Zamp's

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

From this reading The two clerks, supplemented by a third salesman, who had been hired by telephone, were extolling the virtues of Zamp's wares in stentorian tones, and the atmosphere of the little store was fairly suffocating.