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The Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful Tales
The Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful Tales

Chapter V

Cover illustration for The Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful Tales
Context Illustration Reading 1/93 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.
The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.
Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.
He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.
"One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.
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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.

The Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful Tales

Chapter V

Reading 1/93 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.
Line 2
The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.
Line 3
Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.
Line 4
He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.
Line 5
"One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.”

Determined adjective US /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading “When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “"One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.”

Heir noun US /er/

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading “He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “"One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.”

Third noun US /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

arrived

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

Autocrat

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

bother

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

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

brains

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

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

can't

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

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

countries

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

cousin

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

determine

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

dominions

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

father's

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

heirnounUS /er/

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

informed

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

leave

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

lived

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

made

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

male

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

matter

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

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

mother's

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

Mutjado

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

nearest

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

nowise

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

officer

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

once

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

other

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

persons

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

related

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

relatives

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

said

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

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

seen

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

set

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

settling

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

From this reading "One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I can't bother my brains settling the matter for them.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

side

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

son

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Of course these persons were in nowise related to each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen either of them.

thirdnounUS /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

throne

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

up

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The Autocrat of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on his mother's side.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He had made up his mind to leave his throne and dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which of them should be his heir.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.

write

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

From this reading When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at once.