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Orley Farm
Orley Farm

Chapter III

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Context Illustration Reading 1/113 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE COMMERCIAL ROOM, BULL INN, LEEDS.
Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.
In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.
But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.
He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.
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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.

Orley Farm

Chapter III

Reading 1/113 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE COMMERCIAL ROOM, BULL INN, LEEDS.
Line 2
Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.
Line 3
In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.
Line 4
But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.
Line 5
He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.”

Express verb US /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading “He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.”

Required noun US /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.”

All words in this reading · 78

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

abroad

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

accuracy

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

attorney

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.

BULL

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

From this reading THE COMMERCIAL ROOM, BULL INN, LEEDS.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

command

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

COMMERCIAL

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

From this reading THE COMMERCIAL ROOM, BULL INN, LEEDS.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

Dockwrath

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

doubt

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

ear

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

expedient

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

eyes

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

face

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.

grow

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

From this reading But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.

hair

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

home

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

humble

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

inclined

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

INN

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

From this reading THE COMMERCIAL ROOM, BULL INN, LEEDS.

judging

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

LEEDS

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

From this reading THE COMMERCIAL ROOM, BULL INN, LEEDS.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

man

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

mystification

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

mystify

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

needed

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

obedient

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

one's

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

From this reading But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.

only

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

pale

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

persistent

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

persuade

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

persuasion

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

possible

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

requirednounUS /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

respect

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

From this reading But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.

ROOM

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

From this reading THE COMMERCIAL ROOM, BULL INN, LEEDS.

Samuel

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

sandy

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

servant

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

servility

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

sharp

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

stone-blue

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

talk

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

From this reading But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.

talked

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE COMMERCIAL ROOM, BULL INN, LEEDS.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

tone

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

tyrant

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

very

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.

voice

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

well

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

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But when Mr. Dockwrath began to talk, one's respect for him began to grow.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading He talked well and to the point, and with a tone of voice that could command where command was possible, persuade where persuasion was required, mystify when mystification was needed, and express with accuracy the tone of an obedient humble servant when servility was thought to be expedient.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. Samuel Dockwrath was a little man, with sandy hair, a pale face, and stone-blue eyes.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading In judging of him by appearance only and not by the ear, one would be inclined to doubt that he could be a very sharp attorney abroad and a very persistent tyrant at home.