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A Dead Reckoning
A Dead Reckoning

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for A Dead Reckoning
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.
One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.
The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.
The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.
Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Dead Reckoning

Chapter XVIII

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

Line 1
Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.
Line 2
One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.
Line 3
The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.
Line 4
The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.
Line 5
Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.”

Cell noun US /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading “Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

article

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

befallen

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

beforehand

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

carefully

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

cavity

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

cellnounUS /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

conceal

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

contingency

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

contrived

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

countrymen

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

day

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

detection

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

doing

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

enough

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

evade

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

evidently

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

fellows

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

heel

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

high-heeled

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

hold

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

how

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

inquiring

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

inside

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

insignificant

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

jail

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

Jules

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

just

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

large

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

later

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

like

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

locked

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

made

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

many

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

more

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

mountebank

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

mystery

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

officials

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

phial

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

Picot

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

poison

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

practice

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

prepared

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

puzzle

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

searched

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

shoes

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

solving

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

succeeded

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

tiny

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

turn

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

two

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

unscrewed

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

up

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

utter

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

very

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

warders

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

wore

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.