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The Bertrams
The Bertrams

Chapter XXXVIII

Cover illustration for The Bertrams
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
EATON SQUARE.
Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.
But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.
The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.
He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.
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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 Bertrams

Chapter XXXVIII

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
EATON SQUARE.
Line 2
Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.
Line 3
But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.
Line 4
The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.
Line 5
He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

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 “Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.”

Moreover adverb US /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading “He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.”

Obtain verb US /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading “He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.”

All words in this reading · 63

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 Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

also

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.

assistance

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

avail

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

bravado

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

From this reading But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.

care

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

From this reading The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.

EATON

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

From this reading EATON SQUARE.

empty

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

From this reading But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.

enable

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

ex-solicitor-general

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

From this reading The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

forth

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

Harcourt

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

Henry

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.

knew

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

From this reading But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.

law

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

From this reading The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.

making

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

From this reading But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.

moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

mouth

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

ordinary

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

person

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

policeman

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

possession

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

read

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

room

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

Sir

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

SQUARE

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

From this reading EATON SQUARE.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

suffice

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

threat

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

valid

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

From this reading The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.

very

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

From this reading The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.

walked

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.

well

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

From this reading The will was as valid as care and law could make it, and the ex-solicitor-general knew very well that it was valid.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But he knew when making it that that threat was an empty bravado.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

wife's

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sir Henry Harcourt had walked forth first from that room in which the will had been read, and he had walked forth with a threat in his mouth.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He knew, moreover, that the assistance of no ordinary policeman would suffice to enable him to obtain possession of his wife's person; and he knew also that if he had such possession, it would avail him nothing.