Chapter XVI
He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers. “Yes. If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose. It would be simpler.” “Perhaps,” she admitted.
The Ambassadors
Chapter XVI
English subtitles · tap any word to listen
1 / 5
He
for
a
moment
entertained
the
question,
then
found
for
it
the
frankest
of
answers.
“Yes.
If
she
were
worse
she’d
be
better
for
our
purpose.
It
would
be
simpler.”
“Perhaps,”
she
admitted.
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Line 1
He
for
a
moment
entertained
the
question,
then
found
for
it
the
frankest
of
answers.
Line 2
“Yes.
Line 3
If
she
were
worse
she’d
be
better
for
our
purpose.
Line 4
It
would
be
simpler.”
Line 5
“Perhaps,”
she
admitted.
Learner Dictionary
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
Found
noun
US /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.”
Perhaps
noun
US /perhaps/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ““Perhaps,” she admitted.”
Question
noun
US /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.”
Would
modal verb
US /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “It would be simpler.””
All words in this reading · 27
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 He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
admitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps,” she admitted.
answers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose.
entertained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
frankest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps,” she admitted.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose.
she'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose.
simpler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be simpler.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He for a moment entertained the question, then found for it the frankest of answers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she were worse she’d be better for our purpose.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be simpler.”
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yes.