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The Stolen Brain
The Stolen Brain

Chapter V

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Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A FLANK MOVEMENT.
Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
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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 Stolen Brain

Chapter V

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A FLANK MOVEMENT.
Line 2
Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
Line 3
Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
Line 4
They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
Line 5
The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

Learner Dictionary

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

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.”

Despite preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.”

Disposed noun US /ˈdisposed/

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

From this reading “They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.”

Doctor noun US /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.”

Throat noun US /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading “The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 FLANK MOVEMENT.

advantage

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

all

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

almost

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.

any

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

assistant

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

back

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

bent

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

comforting

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

From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

decidedly

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

detective's

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

disposednounUS /ˈdisposed/

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

From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.

DoctornounUS /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

fact

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

From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.

few

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

fire

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

flabbergasted

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

FLANK

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

From this reading A FLANK MOVEMENT.

foes

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

friends

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

gained

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

getting

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

Grantley

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

Grantley's

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

hold

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

momentary

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

MOVEMENT

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

From this reading A FLANK MOVEMENT.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

Nick's

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

old

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

only

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

From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.

out

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

From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

own

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

Patsy's

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

position

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

relinquish

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

seconds

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

seem

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

From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.

seven

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

shoot

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

From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.

surgeon's

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

surprise

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

threat

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

throatnounUS /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

turned

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

unenviable

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

vivisectionist

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.

way

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

whompronounUS /huːm/

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

From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.

young

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

From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.