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Melmoth Reconciled
Melmoth Reconciled

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Melmoth Reconciled
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.
“I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.
Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”
This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.
During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.
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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.

Melmoth Reconciled

Chapter II

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.
Line 2
“I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.
Line 3
Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”
Line 4
This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.
Line 5
During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

Learner Dictionary

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

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.””

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.”

Fool noun US /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading ““Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading ““I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

approaching

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

Aquilina

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

bit

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

Castanier

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

chanced

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

character

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

characters

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

de

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

declines

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

fashion

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

From this reading “Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

foolnounUS /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

gave

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

girl's

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

guerre

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.

Hey

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

From this reading “Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.

housekeeping

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.

irregular

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

man

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

most

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

nearly

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

nom

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

old

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

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

Piedmontese

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

Preserved

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

read

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

recognize

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

reconnoitre

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

respectability

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

said

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

From this reading “Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.

see

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

set

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

sheep

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

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

soldierly

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

From this reading “Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.

sort

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

status

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

steady

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “Hey! hey!” he said to himself, in his soldierly fashion.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

union

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

up

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

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”

Venice

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

wolf

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

From this reading “I am an old wolf, and a sheep shall not make a fool of me.

world

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

From this reading This irregular union gave the Piedmontese a status the most nearly approaching respectability among those which the world declines to recognize.

year

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

From this reading During the first year she took the _nom de guerre_ of Aquilina, one of the characters in _Venice Preserved_ which she had chanced to read.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Castanier, old man, before you set up housekeeping, reconnoitre the girl’s character for a bit, and see if she is a steady sort.”