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The Noble Rogue
The Noble Rogue

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The Noble Rogue
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.
--BROWNING.
With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.
Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.
It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.
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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 Noble Rogue

Chapter VI

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.
Line 2
--BROWNING.
Line 3
With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.
Line 4
Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.
Line 5
It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.”

Nameless adjective US /ˈneɪm.ləs/

Having no name, or having a name that is kept secret or unknown.

From this reading “I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

aid

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

also

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

appraised

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

BROWNING

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

From this reading --BROWNING.

certain

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

cherished

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

circumlocution

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

clique

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

cousin

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

desire

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

eager

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

faces

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

flippant

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

four

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

glance

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

guardian

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

influence

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

Irishman

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

John

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

keen

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

man

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

mood

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

moods

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

most

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

namelessadjectiveUS /ˈneɪm.ləs/

Having no name, or having a name that is kept secret or unknown.

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

needed

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

obligations

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

observer

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

obvious

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

other

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

people's

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

pretty

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

proffer

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

quick

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

quickly

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

rage

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

religious

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

Rochester

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

self-constituted

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

shrewd

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

side

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

Sir

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

small

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

sobering

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

sport

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

Stowmaries

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

sullen

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

there

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

thrown

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

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

thwarting

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

whole

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

Why

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

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a quick glance thrown on each of the four faces, shrewd Sir John had quickly appraised the mood of this small clique.

world

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading It was also obvious to this keen observer of other people's moods that there would be no need for circumlocution.

Wykeham

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

From this reading Stowmaries in sullen rage against the whole world because of this thwarting of his most cherished desire, Rochester and the Irishman, flippant and eager for sport, with Wykeham as the sobering influence, the self-constituted guardian of religious obligations.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I was a nameless man; you needed me: Why did I proffer you my aid? there stood A certain pretty cousin at your side.