Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Figure in the Carpet
The Figure in the Carpet

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The Figure in the Carpet
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.
His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.
Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.
Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.
He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Figure in the Carpet

Chapter VI

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.
Line 2
His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.
Line 3
Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.
Line 4
Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.
Line 5
He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

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 “SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.”

Journey noun US /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading “SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.”

Precautions plural noun US /prɪˈkɔʃənz/

actions taken to prevent danger

From this reading “He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.”

Undertaking noun US /ˌʌndərˈteɪkɪŋ/

a serious task, project, or venture that someone agrees to do

From this reading “SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

absence

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

accepting

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

affair

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

apt

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

become

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

begun

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

big

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

brother-in-law

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

brother-in-law's

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

brush

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

commissioner

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

commissioners

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

conceived

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

contracted

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

correspondent

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

Corvick

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

country

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

cousin

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

difficulty

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

editor

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

England

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

exactly

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

exquisitely

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

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

fact

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

fancy

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

fashion

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

felt

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

flight

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

friend

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

George

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

hand

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

idea

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

imposed

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

India

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

journal

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

knew

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

line

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

living

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

made

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

mere

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

metropolitan

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

months

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

much

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

out-Herod

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

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

outraged

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

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

paper

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

particular

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

pen

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

piece

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

precautionsplural nounUS /prɪˈkɔʃənz/

actions taken to prevent danger

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

prepared

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

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

press

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

priggishness

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

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

provincial

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

reason

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

sending

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

SIX

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

solemn

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

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

some

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

special

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

surprise

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

task

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

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading His brother-in-law had become editor of a great provincial paper, and the great provincial paper, in a fine flight of fancy, had conceived the idea of sending a “special commissioner” to India.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

too

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

From this reading Special commissioners had begun, in the “metropolitan press,” to be the fashion, and the journal in question must have felt it had passed too long for a mere country cousin.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

undertakingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈteɪkɪŋ/

a serious task, project, or venture that someone agrees to do

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Corvick had no hand, I knew, for the big brush of the correspondent, but that was his brother-in-law’s affair, and the fact that a particular task was not in his line was apt to be with himself exactly a reason for accepting it.

work

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

From this reading SIX months after our friend had left England George Corvick, who made his living by his pen, contracted for a piece of work which imposed on him an absence of some length and a journey of some difficulty, and his undertaking of which was much of a surprise to me.