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The Hypocrite
The Hypocrite

Chapter III

Cover illustration for The Hypocrite
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
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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 Hypocrite

Chapter III

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
Line 2
Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
Line 3
A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
Line 4
He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
Line 5
He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

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 “He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading “A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.”

Free adjective US /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading “Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.”

All words in this reading · 62

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 A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

after-dinner

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

almost

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.

cigarette

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

coffee

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

crowd

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

dinner

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

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

dramatic

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

dressed

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

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

enjoying

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

excitement

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

From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.

fail

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

fascination

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

freeadjectiveUS /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.

Gobion

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

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

Grosvenor

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

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.

hall

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.

Hotel

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

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

INITIATION

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

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

knew

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

lit

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

lounges

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

man

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

most

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

From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.

NevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

people

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

pleasingly

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

pleasurable

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

From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.

possessed

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

From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.

resource

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

round

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

unrestrained

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

From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.

unscrupulous

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

utterly

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

venture

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

wall

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

watching

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

well-dressed

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

From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.