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Mr. Prohack
Mr. Prohack

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Mr. Prohack
Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.
Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.
He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.
These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.
He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Mr. Prohack

Chapter XII

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.
Line 2
Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.
Line 3
He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.
Line 4
These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.
Line 5
He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

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 “FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.”

Despite preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.”

Disgust noun US /dɪsˈɡʌst/

a strong feeling of dislike or sickness caused by something unpleasant

From this reading “These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.”

Owing noun US /owing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.”

All words in this reading · 99

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

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

appear

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

arrived

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

away

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

B

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

Babylon

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

C

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

Charlie's

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

circumstances

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

Crown

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

daughter

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

definitely

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

disgustnounUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/

a strong feeling of dislike or sickness caused by something unpleasant

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

efforts

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

existence

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

forced

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

FURTHER

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

gay

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

Grand

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

health

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

Hotel

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

IDLENESS

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

inconceivable

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

inside

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

intricate

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

knew

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

late

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

luncheon

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

mean

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

Mimi

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

mischievous

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

mood

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

Mr

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

narrow

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

nervous

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

nervousness

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

newspapers

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

now

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

owing

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

people

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

perceived

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

powerful

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

preparations

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

pretending

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

prod

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

prodded

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

Prohack

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

reacted

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

readers

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

retain

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

secretly

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

servants

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

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

Sissie

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

slipping

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

Strange

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

taken

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

turn

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

two

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

unsuccessfully

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Such may be the narrow and mean existence forced by circumstances upon secretly powerful servants of the Crown.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

wife

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

From this reading He arrived late, owing to the intricate preparations of his wife and daughter for Charlie's luncheon.

Winstock

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading These two were unsuccessfully pretending not to be nervous, and their nervousness reacted upon Mr. Prohack, who perceived with disgust that his gay and mischievous mood of the morning was slipping away from him despite his efforts to retain it.

world

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

From this reading FURTHER IDLENESS I Strange, inconceivable as it may appear to people of the great world and readers of newspapers, Mr. Prohack, C.B., had never in his life before been inside the Grand Babylon Hotel.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.

youthful

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

From this reading He knew now definitely that his health had taken the right turn, and yet he could not prod the youthful Sissie as he had prodded the youthful Mimi Winstock.