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The Village Rector
The Village Rector

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Village Rector
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?
He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.”
“At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”
“If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”
These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.
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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 Village Rector

Chapter VII

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?
Line 2
He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.”
Line 3
“At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”
Line 4
“If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”
Line 5
These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading ““If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.””

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.”

Cruel adjective US /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading “These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.””

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.””

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?”

Score noun US /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.””

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading ““If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.””

All words in this reading · 81

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 He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.”

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

any

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

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

appeal

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

avoiding

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

bare

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

beast

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

From this reading He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.”

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

cleverest

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

commented

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

community

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

court

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

criminal

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

delay

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

discussed

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

efforts

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

events

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

execution

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

foiling

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.”

gave

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

Graslin

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

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.”

household

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

interest

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

lady

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

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

Madame

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

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

making

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

From this reading He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.”

man

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

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

months

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

only

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

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

purpose

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

From this reading He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.”

rate

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

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

rejected

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

sacrificed

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

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

said

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

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

salon

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

scorenounUS /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

see

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

soon

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

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

stripped

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

temptations

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

thus

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

tongues

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

turned

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

twisted

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

two

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

unknown

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

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

upper

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

Veronique

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

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

ways

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

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

well-bred

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

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading These events, discussed and turned and twisted in every salon, every household, commented on in a score of ways, stripped bare by the cleverest tongues in the community, gave, of course, a cruel interest to the execution of the criminal, whose appeal was rejected after two months’ delay by the upper court.

wild

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

From this reading He is making himself a wild beast for a purpose.”

woman

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

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

workman

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

From this reading “At any rate,” said the lady, “he is not a well-bred man; he is only a workman.”

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading “If he had been a well-bred man,” said Madame Graslin, “he would soon have sacrificed that unknown woman.”

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Do you not see,” replied Veronique, “that he is thus avoiding their temptations and foiling their efforts?