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Better Dead
Better Dead

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Better Dead
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.
As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.
On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.
It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.
The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.
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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.

Better Dead

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.
Line 2
As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.
Line 3
On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.
Line 4
It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.
Line 5
The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.”

All words in this reading · 71

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

30th

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

From this reading On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.

31

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

Andrew

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

apart

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

August

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

bought

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

From this reading On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

Churchill

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

cumbrous

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

electric

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

eminent

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

finish

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

fortnight

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

get

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

Grand

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

Holborn

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

From this reading On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.

Hotel

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

House

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

intention

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

July

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

killing

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

knife

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

From this reading On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.

leave

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

Lord

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

nearly

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.

original

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

probation

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

purpose

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

From this reading On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.

Randolph

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

residing

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

rifle

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

second

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

set

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

From this reading Andrew had set apart July 31 for killing Lord Randolph Churchill.

shown

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

somewhere

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

Square

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

statesman

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

streets

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

suitable

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

From this reading On the 30th he bought a knife in Holborn suitable for his purpose.

term

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

thesis

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

too

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

Trafalgar

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

From this reading The eminent statesman was residing at this time at the Grand Hotel, and Andrew thought to get him somewhere between Trafalgar Square and the House.

up

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

use

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

week

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading It had been his original intention to use an electric rifle, but those he was shown were too cumbrous for use in the streets.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading As his term of probation was up in the second week of August, this would leave him nearly a fortnight to finish his thesis in.