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The Crystal Stopper
The Crystal Stopper

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for The Crystal Stopper
Context Illustration Reading 1/93 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.
The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.
She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.
Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.
The count’s steward gave her a perfect character, and she was engaged.
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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 Crystal Stopper

Chapter IV

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

Line 1
THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.
Line 2
The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.
Line 3
She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.
Line 4
Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.
Line 5
The count’s steward gave her a perfect character, and she was engaged.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.”

First-rate noun US /ˈfirst-rate/

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

From this reading “The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.”

Insisted verb US /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading “She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.”

LIFE noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

active

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

age

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

agreed

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

ALEXIS

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

arrived

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

came

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

certain

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

Chamber

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

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

character

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

From this reading The count’s steward gave her a perfect character, and she was engaged.

characters

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

Clémence

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

Comte

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

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

condition

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

cook

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

count's

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

From this reading The count’s steward gave her a perfect character, and she was engaged.

DAUBRECQ

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

day

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

Deputies

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

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

deputy

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

easy

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

engaged

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

From this reading The count’s steward gave her a perfect character, and she was engaged.

few

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

first-ratenounUS /ˈfirst-rate/

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

gave

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

From this reading The count’s steward gave her a perfect character, and she was engaged.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

HOME

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

house

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

insistedverbUS /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

later

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

LIFEnounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

lunch

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

man-servant

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

member

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

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

minutes

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

once

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

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

people

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

perfect

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

From this reading The count’s steward gave her a perfect character, and she was engaged.

place

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

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

police

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

portress

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

produced

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

references

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

relied

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

Saulevat

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

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

searched

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

signed

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

steward

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

From this reading The count’s steward gave her a perfect character, and she was engaged.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

telephoned

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

From this reading Her last place was with a member of the Chamber of Deputies, Comte Saulevat, to whom Daubrecq at once telephoned.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

thoroughly

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

up

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

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

very

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading THE HOME LIFE OF ALEXIS DAUBRECQ When Daubrecq the deputy came in from lunch on the day after the police had searched his house he was stopped by Clémence, his portress, who told him that she had found a cook who could be thoroughly relied on.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The cook arrived a few minutes later and produced first-rate characters, signed by people with whom it was easy to take up her references.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

woman

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.

work

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

From this reading She was a very active woman, although of a certain age, and agreed to do the work of the house by herself, without the help of a man-servant, this being a condition upon which Daubrecq insisted.