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The Illustrious Prince
The Illustrious Prince

Chapter XXIII · On the Trail

Cover illustration for The Illustrious Prince
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
“Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.
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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 Illustrious Prince

Chapter XXIII · On the Trail

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.
Line 2
The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.
Line 3
The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.
Line 4
Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.
Line 5
“Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.”

Summons noun US /ˈsʌmənz/

an official order to appear or respond

From this reading “Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

appointments

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

bell

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

betokened

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

brass

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

certain

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

cleaning

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

doctor's

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

door

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

Dr

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

former

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

front

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

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

garden

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

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

GoodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

house

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

Inspector

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

Jacks

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

keeping

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

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

lack

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

latter

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

From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.

limited

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

made

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

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

moment

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.

much

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

notice

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

noticed

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

opened

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

patients

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

plate

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

practice

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

pretence

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

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

railing

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

From this reading The railing in front was broken, and no pretence had been made at keeping the garden in order.

rang

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

residence

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

said

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

From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.

second

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

smartness

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

studied

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/

an official order to appear or respond

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

tentatively

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

From this reading “Good morning!” the latter said tentatively.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

then

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks studied the brass plate for a moment, and then rang the patients’ bell.

there

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

things

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.

very

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

want

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The former, he noticed was very much in want of cleaning, and for a doctor’s residence there was a certain lack of smartness about the house and its appointments which betokened a limited practice.

Whiles

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

From this reading Inspector Jacks had time to notice these things, for it was not until after his second summons that the door was opened by Dr. Whiles himself.