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A Cousin's Conspiracy
A Cousin's Conspiracy

Chapter XXX

Cover illustration for A Cousin's Conspiracy
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.
But he was too greedy for gain.
He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.
There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.
Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Cousin's Conspiracy

Chapter XXX

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.
Line 2
But he was too greedy for gain.
Line 3
He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.
Line 4
There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.
Line 5
Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

Apart

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

best

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

boy

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

BURGLAR'S

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

Burns

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he was too greedy for gain.

charge

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

craving

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

day

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

dollars

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

easily

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

enjoy

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

Ernest

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

escape

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

FAILURE

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

felt

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

foiled

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But he was too greedy for gain.

Forks

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

gain

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

From this reading But he was too greedy for gain.

getting

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

gold

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

goodly

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

greedy

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

From this reading But he was too greedy for gain.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

hundred

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

irresistible

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

made

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

money

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

more

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

Oak

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

overpower

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

pecuniary

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

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

pictured

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

prudent

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

secured

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

stock

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

store

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

taken

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

There

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken in during the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it.

Tom

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

too

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

From this reading But he was too greedy for gain.

two

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

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But he was too greedy for gain.

watch

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting the best of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There might be one or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he could easily overpower.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading A BURGLAR'S FAILURE If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escape with the money and gold watch he had already secured.