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Toilers of Babylon: A Novel
Toilers of Babylon: A Novel

Chapter XXXIV

Cover illustration for Toilers of Babylon: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.
The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.
The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.
This promise was that he would marry her.
Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.
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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.

Toilers of Babylon: A Novel

Chapter XXXIV

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.
Line 2
The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.
Line 3
The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.
Line 4
This promise was that he would marry her.
Line 5
Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

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 “Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.”

All words in this reading · 59

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 The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

addressed

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

all

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

From this reading Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

Appearances

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

From this reading Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

difficulties

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

explain

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

From this reading Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

fortunately

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

fulfil

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

Inglefield

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

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

letter

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

made

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

Mark

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

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

marry

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

From this reading This promise was that he would marry her.

Mary

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

now

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

once

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

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

Parkinson

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

personally

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

From this reading Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

position

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

promise

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

purport

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

removed

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

room

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

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

said

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

From this reading Appearances, he said, had been against him, but he would explain all to her personally.

set

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

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

very

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

way

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.

work

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

From this reading Being alone in his room Mark Inglefield set to work at once.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The purport of this letter was that difficulties which had stood in his way were fortunately removed, and that he was now in a position, or would be in a very short time, to fulfil the promise he had made to her.

write

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to write a letter, which he addressed to Mary Parkinson.