Vocabulary ladder

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

I. A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA

False friends79 entries

You know these words. In this book they mean something else.

delicate×2
easily upset by small things
the late Irene Adler
Irene Adler, who was already dead when Watson wrote this
every form of society
any kind of mixing with other people
singular×2
strange and unusual
for×7
here this word means ‘because’
spare×2
thin
against the blind
against the cloth cover pulled down over the window
the chamber
the room
as×2
here this word means ‘because’
nervous
quick and restless
secreted
hidden away
dull
slow to understand
the last post
the final delivery of letters for the day
of the very deepest moment
that matters more than almost anything
chamber
room
data
the facts to work from
capital mistake
a very serious mistake
peculiarly
unusually
Peculiar×2
odd, out of the ordinary
the very word
exactly the right word
volume
book
the passage
the narrow hallway
His dress
his clothes
his calves
the thick back part of his lower legs
trimmed at the tops
with fur set round the upper edge
which to address
which of the two men to speak to
of such weight
of such importance
august
very high and grand
his agent
the man who acts for him
compromise
damage the good name of
agent
a man who acts for others
he cried×4
he shouted
an agent×2
a man to act for me
Some five years ago
about five years ago
index
his own filed list of facts about people
compromising
able to damage his good name
produce her letters
bring the letters out and show them
compromised yourself
put your own good name at risk
returned
answered
propose to do
plan to do
conduct
the way I have behaved
in notes
in paper money
cried×5
called out loudly
the sequel
what happened next
sympathy
they understand each other, because they all live the same life
two stories
two floors
the passage window
the window of the narrow hallway
from every point of view
from every side
never calls less than once a day
never visits her fewer than once a day
the object of his repeated visits
why he kept coming
his mistress
the woman he loved outside marriage
a delicate point
a hard thing to decide
Presently
after a short while
balancing
still deciding between two choices
such a shabby fare
so poorly dressed a passenger
the simple fare
the plain food
at either end
at each of its two ends
every fresh part that he assumed
every new person he chose to act
animated
busy and full of life
resolved
decided firmly
smart
neat and well kept
would have had
would have stolen
Surely
of course
my post
the place where I had been told to keep watch
well dressed and ill
some in good clothes and some in poor ones
the row
the noisy quarrel
secure
reach and take
half drew it out
started to pull it out
cried out
shouted
narrowly
closely
practically
almost
the pavement
the paved walking path at the side of the road
by either shoulder
by both shoulders, one hand on each
future annoyance
trouble still to come
of my own station
of my own rank in the world
My mistress
the lady I work for
her flight
her running away
the best resource
the best thing to do
flight
running away

Idioms188 entries

Fixed expressions with a settled meaning of their own. Worth learning once.

In his eyes
the way he sees things
the whole of her sex
all women everywhere
I take it
I believe
placed himself in a false position
put himself where he could not be his real self
throw a doubt upon
make people unsure of
there was but one woman to him
there was only one woman who counted for him
drifted us away from each other
slowly pulled the two of us apart
home-centred interests
the things that fill a man whose life is now inside his own house
master of his own establishment
the man in charge of a house of his own
absorb all my attention
fill my mind completely
From time to time
sometimes
Beyond these signs of his activity
apart from these signs of what he was doing
seized with a keen desire
suddenly filled with a strong wish
his attitude and manner told their own story
the way he stood and moved made plain what he was doing
hot upon the scent
close behind something he was chasing
in part my own
which had once been half mine, when I lived here too
Indeed
really? I would have said more than that
I fancy
I would guess
I observe
I can see
go into harness
start doing steady daily work again
this is too much
that is more than I can believe
As to
turning now to
given her notice
told her she must leave the job
but there, again
but here too
It is simplicity itself
nothing could be easier
As to your practice
as for your work as a doctor
pronounce him to be
declare that he is
could not help laughing
could not stop myself from laughing
Quite so×3
yes, exactly
from the hall
from the entrance area inside the front door
Now,
well then
By the way
and another thing
good enough×2
kind and willing
can hardly be exaggerated
so important that no words are too strong for them
from all quarters
from many different people
take it amiss
think badly of it
well to do
rich
What do you make of that?×2
what do you think it means
Not at all.
no, that is quite wrong
here we are
I have found it
Precisely.
yes, exactly right
It only remains
all that is left to do is
to resolve all our doubts
to answer all our questions
by the sound
judging by what I hear
There’s money in this case
whoever is behind this is rich
if there is nothing else
whatever else this turns out to be
Never mind him
do not worry about him
be looked upon as
be seen as
pushed to the length of obstinacy
carried so far that it becomes a refusal to change his mind
Whom have I the honour to address
a very polite way of asking a stranger for his name
binding you both
making the two of you promise
of great delicacy
needing very careful handling
state your case
tell what the trouble is
Why, indeed?
Holmes means: yes, there is no reason at all to hide it
in my own person
myself, instead of sending someone in my place
putting myself in his power
letting him have something he could use against me
made the acquaintance of
got to know
at once×2
straight away
sandwiched in between
squeezed between
became entangled with
had a love affair with
Precisely so.
yes, that is exactly right
fail to follow
cannot understand
There is the writing.
the letters are in my own handwriting, so anyone can see I wrote them
in my pay
working for money from me
quite a pretty little problem
a neat and interesting puzzle
Very, indeed.
yes, very serious indeed
the very soul of delicacy
as careful about proper behaviour as a person can be
A shadow of a doubt
the smallest trace of uncertainty
bring the matter to an end
stop the marriage from happening
no lengths to which she would not go
she would do absolutely anything
just at present
right now
for the present
for now
drop you a line
send you a short letter
I shall be all anxiety
I shall be waiting in a state of worry
as to money
and about money
I trust
I expect
If you will be good enough to call
if you would please come and see me
however long he might be
no matter how long he took
the exalted station of his client
how important and powerful his visitor was
on hand
being worked on
masterly grasp of a situation
the way he understood a whole situation straight away
close upon four
almost four o’clock
as of old
looking the way he always used to
Well, really!
I can hardly believe it
quite too funny
so funny I can hardly describe it
employed my morning
spent my morning
what I ended by doing
what I did in the end
in the character of a groom
dressed and behaving as a man who works with horses
lent the ostlers a hand
helped the men who look after the horses
to say nothing of
and besides that
turned all the men’s heads
made every man there fall in love with her
down in that part
in that part of town
the daintiest thing under a bonnet
the prettiest woman alive
to a man
every one of them agreeing
a good deal of him
she sees him very often
If the former
if it is the first of those
to his keeping
into his hands, for him to guard
If the latter
if it is the last of those
it widened the field of my inquiry
it made the search larger than before
I fear
I am sorry to say
balancing the matter in my mind
still deciding what to think
thoroughly at home
completely at ease, as if the place were his own
catch glimpses of him
see him for short moments as he passed
Drive like the devil
drive as fast as you possibly can
caught a glimpse
saw for only a moment
a face that a man might die for
so beautiful that a man would risk his life for her
This was quite too good to lose
this chance was far too good to miss
run for it
chase after them on foot
what was in the wind
what was about to happen
standing in a knot
standing in one tight little group
dropped into a church
gone into a church casually for a short while
Thank God
a cry of relief
You’ll do
you are just the person I need
Come, man, come
hurry, please, hurry
before I knew where I was
before I could understand what was happening
without a witness of some sort
without someone to watch the wedding and sign to say it happened
mean to
plan to
take an immediate departure
leave straight away
on my part
by me
they separated
they went different ways
he driving back
he drove back
Not in the least
not at all
running a chance of arrest
risking being taken by the police
Not in a good cause
I do not mind that, if it is for a good reason
I am your man
I will do it
come what may
whatever happens
It will end in my being
in the end I will be
raise the cry of fire
shout out that there is a fire
You quite follow me?
do you understand me completely
confined to that
limited to that only
in the character of
dressed and acting as
alone could have equalled
only he could have matched it
even as
at the same moment that
On the contrary
in fact the opposite was true
to and fro
back and forth
The chances are
it is likely
its coming to the eyes of his princess
the photograph being seen by the woman he is to marry
carries it about with her
keeps it on her all the time
We may take it
we can safely assume
brought to bear upon
used against
lay her hands upon it
reach it quickly
to the letter
exactly, down to the last word
earning a copper
being given a small coin
took sides with
fought for
equally hot upon the other side
just as angry, but for the other man
took to their heels
ran away fast
there’s life in him
he is still alive
if it hadn’t been for him
if he had not been there
the blinds had not been drawn
the window covers had not been pulled across
seized with compunction
suddenly feeling guilty
the part he was playing
the false role he was acting
I hardened my heart
I made myself stop feeling pity
injuring another
hurting someone else
no sooner out of my mouth
the instant I had said it
caught a glimpse of
saw for a second
made my way
got
I am still in the dark
I still do not understand
engaged for the evening
hired for the evening
I guessed as much
I thought so
She was bound to have me in
she was certain to let me be brought inside
our lady of to-day
the woman we are dealing with today
in quest of
searching for
making my excuses
saying polite words to explain my leaving
I shall call with the King
I will go to her house with the King
care to
would like to
She will not be up
she will still be asleep
Then, come.
then let us go now
I am all impatience to be gone
I cannot wait a moment longer to leave
And yet—!
he begins to say something more and stops himself
Well!
a sound made when a man accepts something he is sorry about
To be left till called for
to be kept here until someone comes to collect it
ran in this way
the words in it were these
I had betrayed myself
I had shown him the truth without meaning to
think evil of
believe bad things about
take advantage of
make use of
when you call
when you arrive at the house
rest in peace
he need not worry any more
he might care to possess
that he may like to keep
I remain
the old way of ending a letter, like ‘yours’
on my level
of the same rank as me
on a very different level to your Majesty
far above you, not below you
her word is inviolate
a promise from her is never broken
as if it were in the fire
as though it had already been burnt
immensely indebted
owing you a very great deal
I have the honour
a very formal way of speaking, used here to close the meeting politely
without observing the hand
without noticing the hand the King was offering him
in my company
with me
of late
in recent times

Phrasal verbs45 entries

A verb and a small word that together mean something the two words do not.

following out
tracing to the end
clearing up
finding the answer to
risen out of
had come out of
was shown up
was led upstairs
looked me over
studied me from head to foot
put on
gained in weight
work it out
reach the answer
threw over
tossed across to me
stands for
is short for
sent up
breathed out and upward
look into
examine
chat this little matter over
talk the whole business through
lounged down
walked slowly down
rubbing down
wiping and cleaning after hard work
drives out
goes out in her carriage
think over
think carefully about
brushed past
pushed quickly past
pulled up×2
stopped
shot out of
came rushing out of
faced round
turned to face
vouching for
swearing to the truth of
sally out
rush out
turned hungrily on
began eating quickly
Do not join in it
do not take part in the fight
station yourself
place yourself and stay there
taken up
repeated by them too
hand it over
give it to someone else to keep
carry out
do
rattled up
came up making a loud noise
elbowed away
shoved aside
broke out×2
started suddenly
attend to
take care of
laid out
stretched flat on his back
waited upon
cared for
draw back
stop now and not do it
turned down
went into
wire to
send a telegram to
engaged upon
busy with
relapsed into
sank back into
drew up
stopped
staggered back
stepped back off balance
tore back
pulled quickly open
took me in
fooled me
set off
began to walk
make merry over
joke about

Noun phrases17 entries

A group of words naming a person or a thing, explained together.

_the_ woman×2
the one woman above all others for him
My dear Holmes
an ordinary friendly way of speaking to a friend
my rooms
my home
my boy
a warm friendly way one man speaks to a close friend
a pair of beauties
two very fine horses
Not a bit
certainly not
Hum!
a noise he makes to himself while he reads
Pooh, pooh!
a rude noise meaning that is worth nothing
my plan of campaign
my plan of action
not a soul there
nobody at all there
turn of affairs
change in how things have gone
energetic measures
strong, fast action
the scene of action
the place where it is to happen
a false alarm
a warning about a danger that was not real
a clear field
nothing in our way
my dear sir
an old polite way of addressing a man
the kingdom of Bohemia
the king and royal family of that country in central Europe

Words from other languages9 entries

‘Gesellschaft,’
a German word, and Holmes gives its meaning in the next words
Papier
the German word for paper
_incognito_
an Italian word for travelling under a false name so that nobody knows who you are
Prima donna
Italian words for the leading woman singer of an opera company
_carte blanche_
French words meaning you may spend whatever you find necessary
Mademoiselle’s
French for the unmarried lady’s
_bijou_ villa
French for a house as small and pretty as a jewel
Madame
French for a married lady
_née_
a French word meaning born under the family name that follows

Old word forms25 entries

Old forms of words you know. Learn them once.

sunk upon his chest
dropped down onto his chest
I should have thought a little more
I would have guessed a little more
most clumsy
very awkward, always dropping things
had you lived a few centuries ago
if you had lived a few hundred years ago
if your visitor wear a mask
older English dropped the -s from the verb after ‘if’, so this simply means he has his face covered
Now for the ‘Eg.’
now let us see what ‘Eg’ means
Pray
please
not accustomed to
not used to
pray consult
please go ahead and ask me about it
Kindly
please
I am but thirty now
I am only thirty now
three days yet
three days still left
Pray do so.
please do
to-morrow×3
the next day, in the older spelling
whence he emerged
from which he came out again
To do nothing whatever
to do nothing at all
You are to
you must
his very soul
even his soul itself
it still wanted ten minutes to the hour
there were still ten minutes to go before the hour
but
only
from within
from inside the house
the very room
exactly the room
do what he will
do whatever he wants
Pray tell me
please tell me
You have but to name it.
you only have to say what you want

Words437 entries

In the order you will meet them.

seldom×3
almost never
eclipses
makes every other woman seem small beside her
predominates
counts for more than all of them
akin×2
similar
abhorrent
hateful to him
admirably×2
impressively well
balanced
steady and even
the softer passions
love and tendernessdeliberate indirection the period required
save×2
except
a gibe
a mocking remark
a sneer
a look that says he thinks it silly
admirable×2
worth praising
observer
someone who watches closely
the trained reasoner
a person taught to work things out step by stepan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
intrusions
things pushing in from outside
finely
in a very exact way
temperament
the way his mind is built
distracting
pulling the mind away
factor×2
a thing that changes the result
Grit
tiny bits of sand
sensitive
easily affected by very small things
crack
a thin split
high-power lenses
strong pieces of glass for looking closely at small thingsan object or practice the period took for granted
loathed
hated
lodgings
rented rooms
alternating
swinging back and forth
cocaine
a strong drug that lifts a person and then leaves him lowthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
drowsiness
a heavy state close to sleep
fierce×2
wild and strong
energy
force and drive
keen×2
sharp
immense×2
very great
faculties
powers of mind
vague
unclear
summons
a call to come
delicately
with great care and skill
the reigning family of Holland
the family then ruling the Netherlandsrank
however×4
but
the daily press
the newspapers, printed every dayan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
the twentieth of March
the 20th day of the third month, in the year 1888money
returned×3
gone back
civil practice
treating ordinary paying patients againan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
my wooing
the time when I was winning the woman I married
employing
using
brilliantly lit
shining with strong light
silhouette
a dark shape with no detail
pacing×2
walking back and forth
swiftly×2
quickly
eagerly×2
with strong wish and hurry
clasped
held tightly together
formerly
in earlier times
effusive
warm and full of open feeling
cigars×2
rolls of tobacco leaf for smokingan object or practice the period took for granted
a spirit case
a box holding bottles of strong drinkan object or practice the period took for granted
a gasogene
a home machine that put bubbles into wateran object or practice the period took for granted
introspective
looking into his own thoughts
Wedlock
the state of being marriedan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
seven and a half pounds
about three and a half kilosmoney
a trifle
a little bit
in practice
working as a doctor with paying patientsan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
deduce×3
find the answer from small clues
servant×2
a person paid to work in a house
dreadful
very bad
incorrigible
hopeless, she will never improve
chuckled
laughed quietly
rubbed
moved one against the other
firelight
the light thrown out by the fire
scored
marked with cut lines
scraped
rubbed hard with something sharp
the sole
the flat bottom of the shoe
crusted
dried into a hard layer
Hence
so, from that
deduction×2
an answer found from small clues
vile
very bad
malignant
set on doing harm
boot-slitting
cutting into shoe leather
specimen
example
the London slavey
a young girl kept as a hard-worked house servantan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
iodoform
a strong-smelling medicine used on woundsthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
nitrate of silver
a chemical doctors used that leaves a black stain on skinthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
forefinger
the finger next to the thumb
bulge
a rounded swelling pushing out
his top-hat
the tall stiff hat men wore in the streetan object or practice the period took for granted
stethoscope
the tube a doctor listens to your chest withthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
ease
how easily
ridiculously
so much so that it seems silly
successive
coming one after another
baffled
completely puzzled
observe
notice the details
The distinction
the difference
frequently×2
often
observed×2
noticed the details
chronicle
write down as a record
trifling
small and unimportant
pink-tinted
faintly coloured pink
notepaper
paper kept for writing lettersan object or practice the period took for granted
undated
with no day written on it
consult
ask the advice of
the royal houses of Europe
the ruling families of European ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
theorise
build an explanation
Insensibly
without noticing it happening
presumably
as far as one can tell
endeavouring
trying
half a crown
an old British coin worth an eighth of a pound, a fair sum thenmoney
packet
a small paper package
stiff
hard and not bending
woven
worked into the material while it was made
texture
the make and feel of the material
monogram
his first letters joined into one mark
customary
usual
contraction
a shortened form of a word
our Continental Gazetteer
a fat reference book listing the towns of Europe with facts about eachan object or practice the period took for granted
paper-mills
factories where paper is madean ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
triumphant
showing he had won
construction
the way the words are ordered
a mask
a covering worn over the face
mistaken
wrong
hoofs
the hard feet of horses
grating
scraping harshly
the curb
the raised stone edge along the road
pull at the bell
a hard tug on the handle outside the door, which is how bells were rung thenan object or practice the period took for granted
A pair
two horses joined side by side to pull one carriagean ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
brougham×3
a small closed carriage drawn by horsesan object or practice the period took for granted
guineas
old British gold coins, each worth a little more than a poundmoney
apiece
each
your client×2
the man who is paying you for the workan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
authoritative
sounding like a person used to being obeyed
six feet six inches
about one metre ninety-eightmoney
richness
costly quality
astrakhan
dark tightly curled fur from a young sheepan object or practice the period took for granted
slashed
cut in long lines
double-breasted
with two rows of buttons down the front
cloak×2
a loose coat with no arms, worn over the shouldersan object or practice the period took for granted
flame-coloured
bright orange-red, the colour of fire
a brooch
a jewelled pin for holding clothing togetheran object or practice the period took for granted
a single flaming beryl
one bright green-blue precious stonethe working vocabulary of a trade or field
barbaric
rough and foreign to English eyes
opulence
great wealth on show
a broad-brimmed hat
a hat with a wide flat edge all round itan object or practice the period took for granted
cheekbones
the bones just under the eyes
a black vizard mask
a black covering worn over the upper part of the facean object or practice the period took for granted
suggestive
giving the idea of
resolution
a firm will
colleague
someone who works alongside him
a Bohemian nobleman
a man of high birth from Bohemia, a land in central Europe now part of the Czech Republicrank
discretion
the habit of keeping things quiet
shrugged
lifted and dropped his shoulders
secrecy
keeping it hidden from everyone
this mask
this covering over my face
employs
pays to work for him
confess
admit
dryly
in a flat voice, without warmth
circumstances
the facts around the case
precaution
a step made in advance to stop trouble
quench
stop before it can spread
scandal×2
public shame
reigning
ruling as king or queenrank
plainly
in simple direct words
implicates
shows a connection with
hereditary kings
kings who pass the crown from father to sonan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
murmured×3
said in a low soft voice
languid
slow and without energy
lounging×2
sitting in a loose, lazy way
depicted
described
incisive×2
sharp, going straight to the point
reasoner×2
a man who works things out by thinking
reopened
opened again
impatiently
showing he did not want to wait
his gigantic client
the huge man who is paying him for the workan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
your Majesty×11
what you call a king when you speak to himrank
condescend
agree, from his high place, to
sprang×2
jumped suddenly
agitation
a badly upset state
desperation
a state of having no hope left
the mask
the covering over his face
hurled
threw hard
conceal
hide
Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein
ruler of a small German landrank
hereditary
passed down from father to sonan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
King of Bohemia
ruler of the land of Bohemia in central Europerank
confide
trust
consulting
asking the advice of
lengthy
long
adventuress
a woman who made her own way in the world by charm and daring
docketing
filing away under a label
furnish
supply
a Hebrew rabbi
a Jewish religious teacheran ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
a staff-commander
a senior officer in the navyrank
a monograph
a short book on one single subject
Contralto
a woman singer with a low voicethe working vocabulary of a trade or field
desirous
wanting
certificates
official papers that prove something
blackmailing
forcing money or favours by threatening to tell a secret
authenticity
that they are real
Forgery
someone copied his handwriting
My own seal
the mark he presses into wax to show a letter is truly hisan object or practice the period took for granted
Imitated
the word used when someone has made a false copy of an official markan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
Crown Prince
the king’s son, next in line for the thronerank
ransacked×2
searched roughly, throwing everything about
diverted
sent off to the wrong place
waylaid×2
stopped on the road by men lying in wait
reproachfully
in a hurt, blaming tone
the King of Scandinavia
the ruler of the northern lands of Europerank
Threatens
she says she will
resolute×2
determined, never turned from what they want
the betrothal
the agreement to marry
proclaimed
announced openly
yawn
an open-mouthed breath, the sign of a bored or sleepy man
provinces
large parts of a country
a heavy chamois leather bag
a bag of soft yellow leather made from mountain goatan object or practice the period took for granted
scribbled
wrote quickly and carelessly
a cabinet
a photograph of the larger standard size, roughly as big as a postcardan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
the royal brougham
the king’s small closed carriage drawn by horsesan object or practice the period took for granted
precisely×2
exactly
The landlady
the woman who owns the house and rents out its rooms
awaiting
waiting for
grim
dark and hard to face
subtle
fine and hard to notice
disentangled
pulled apart into clear separate pieces
inextricable
so tangled they seemed impossible to sort out
invariable
never once failing
ceased
stopped
a drunken-looking groom
a man employed to look after horses, looking as if he had been drinkingrank
ill-kempt
with hair and clothes left in a mess
side-whiskered
with hair grown long down the sides of his face
inflamed
red and swollen
disreputable
shabby, the clothes of a man nobody respects
disguises
changes of clothes and face to hide who he is
vanished
disappeared
tweed-suited
wearing a suit of thick rough woolan object or practice the period took for granted
heartily×2
loudly and with real enjoyment
obliged
forced
limp
with no strength left in his body
horsey
living for riding and stables
Chubb lock
a strong door lock of a well-known English makean object or practice the period took for granted
preposterous×2
laughably foolish
fasteners
catches that hold a window shut
save that
except that
the coach-house
the building where a carriage is keptan object or practice the period took for granted
a mews
a back lane of stables with rooms above theman object or practice the period took for granted
twopence
two pennies, a very small summoney
a glass of half-and-half
a drink of two kinds of beer mixed togetheran object or practice the period took for granted
two fills of shag tobacco
enough cheap coarse tobacco to fill a pipe twicean object or practice the period took for granted
compelled×2
forced
dashing
lively and full of style
a cabman
a man who drives a carriage for hirerank
a confidant
someone people tell their secrets to
evidently×2
clearly, as anyone could see
ominous
a sign of trouble ahead
his client
a person paying him for legal workan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
chambers×2
the rooms where a London lawyer worksan object or practice the period took for granted
bore
tire
a hansom cab
a small two-wheeled carriage for hirean object or practice the period took for granted
remarkably×2
unusually
aquiline
with a nose curved like a bird’s beak
moustached
with hair grown on his upper lip
cabman
the man driving the carriage for hirerank
maid×2
a woman servantrank
sitting-room
the room of a house where people sit togetheran object or practice the period took for granted
emerged
came out
flurried
in a nervous rush
earnestly
seriously and with full attention
Half a guinea
an old gold coin worth about half a poundmoney
a neat little landau
a light carriage with a roof that folds backan object or practice the period took for granted
the coachman
the man who drives the carriagerank
the tags of his harness
the loose ends of the straps that hold the horsean ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
the buckles
the metal clasps that hold the straps
half a sovereign×2
an old gold coin worth half a poundmoney
perch
sit up on the back edge
landau×2
a light carriage with a roof that folds backan object or practice the period took for granted
cabby
the driver of a carriage for hirerank
steaming
giving off heat after hard running
a surpliced clergyman
a priest wearing his loose white church robean ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
expostulating
arguing against what they wanted
the altar×3
the holy table at the front of a churchan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
lounged
walked slowly with no hurry
the side aisle
the walkway along the side
any other idler
anyone else with nothing to do
mumbling responses
saying quietly the words the people in a church service are supposed to say backan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
spinster
the word a marriage record uses for a woman who has not married beforean ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
bachelor
the word a marriage record uses for a man who has not married beforean ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
clergyman×3
a priest of the churchrank
beamed
smiled widely
some informality about their license
something not quite in order about their marriage papersan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
the bridegroom
the man being married that day
a best man
the friend who stands beside the man being marriedan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
a sovereign
an old British gold coin worth one poundmoney
my watch chain
the chain that holds a pocket watchan object or practice the period took for granted
menaced
under threat
necessitate
make it necessary for me to act
prompt×2
quick, without delay
tray
a flat board for carrying food
landlady
the woman who owns the house and rents out its rooms
interfere×2
step in and stop what is happening
some small unpleasantness
a bit of a fight, named in a mild waydeliberate indirection the period required
conveyed
carried
formidable×2
frightening
cigar
a roll of tobacco leaf for smokingan object or practice the period took for granted
plumber’s
belonging to a man whose trade is water pipes and their repairrank
smoke-rocket
a tube that gives off thick smoke when it is lit, used to find leaks in pipesan object or practice the period took for granted
rejoin
join you again
amiable
friendly and easy to like
simple-minded
plain and not at all clever
Nonconformist clergyman
an English preacher outside the official Church of Englandan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
baggy
loose and hanging
sympathetic
showing he feels for other people
peering
looking hard and closely
benevolent
kindly and meaning well
costume
clothing
acute
very sharp
dusk
the half-dark just after sunset
occupant
the person who lives there
succinct
short and to the point
the locality
the area round about
shabbily dressed
in worn-out clothes
a scissors-grinder
a man who sharpened blades on a turning stone in the streetan object or practice the period took for granted
two guardsmen
two soldiers of the regiments that guard the royal palacesrank
flirting
trying to charm her for fun
a nurse-girl
a young woman paid to look after childrenrank
simplifies
makes easier
averse
unwilling
our client
the man paying us for the workan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
It is cabinet size
it is the larger standard photograph, roughly as big as a postcardan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
concealment
hiding
banker
the man who keeps her money for her
inclined
leaning towards the view
neither×2
not one of the two
secretive
keen to keep things hidden
secreting
hiding of things away
her own guardianship
her own keeping of it safe
burgled
broken into by thieves
rumble
a low rolling noise
gleam
a faint shine of light
the sidelights
the lamps fixed to the sides of a carriagean object or practice the period took for granted
little landau
a light carriage with a roof that folds backan object or practice the period took for granted
the loafing men
the men standing about with nothing to do
dashed
rushed
another loafer
another man standing about with nothing to do
quarrel
an angry argument
guardsmen
soldiers of the regiments that guard the royal palacesrank
the loungers
the men standing about doing nothing
the scissors-grinder
the man who sharpened blades on a turning stone in the streetan object or practice the period took for granted
knot
a small tight group of people
flushed
red in the face
savagely
wildly and cruelly
fists
tightly closed hands
the scuffle
the short rough struggle
her superb figure
her very fine shape
he’ll be gone
he will be deaddeliberate indirection the period required
fellow
man
gang
a group of criminals working together
marm
a working person’s way of saying ‘madam’English respelled to carry an accent
solemnly
in a slow serious way
borne
carried
the principal room
the main room
the proceedings
everything that was happening
lit
set burning
conspiring
secretly planning against
the grace
her gentle easy manner
kindliness
warm good feeling towards others
the blackest treachery
the worst possible betrayal of a friend
intrusted
given into my care
the smoke-rocket
the tube that gives off thick smoke when it is litan object or practice the period took for granted
my ulster
my long heavy winter coatan object or practice the period took for granted
motion
make a sign with his hand
my rocket
the tube that gives off thick smoke when it is litan object or practice the period took for granted
spectators
people standing watching
ostlers
men paid to tend horses at a stablerank
servant maids
women who work in a houserank
a general shriek
a high scream from everyone together
curled
moved in twisting rolls
assuring
telling them firmly
shouting×2
calling out loudly
rejoiced
made very glad
uproar
loud confused noise
nicely
well
an accomplice
a helper in the plan
moist
slightly wet
clapped
put quickly and firmly
piteous
such as to make anyone feel pity
spectacle
a sight people stop to look at
fathom
understand by thinking it through
determined
had decided firmly
motioned
made a sign with my hand
instinct
the way she acts without stopping to think
overpowering impulse
a sudden push to act that cannot be resisted
unmarried
with no husband
her jewel-box
the box where a woman keeps her rings and necklacesan object or practice the period took for granted
a recess
a hollow space set back in the wall
a sliding panel
a flat board that slides asidean object or practice the period took for granted
the right bell-pull
the handle on the right that you pull to ring for a servantan object or practice the period took for granted
the rocket
the tube that gives off thick smoke when it is litan object or practice the period took for granted
coachman×2
the man who drives her carriagerank
over-precipitance
acting too fast
Our quest
our search
probable
likely
his Majesty
the king himselfrank
Mister
a polite title for a man, written out in fullrank
an ulster
a long heavy winter coatan object or practice the period took for granted
dimly lit
with only faint light
deuce
a mild old swear word
the King of Bohemia×2
the ruler of the land of Bohemia in central Europerank
grasping
taking a firm hold of
We descended
we went down the stairs
moody
dark and unhappy
a sardonic eye
a mocking, bitter look
startled
suddenly surprised
gaze
a long steady look
chagrin
bitter disappointment
hoarsely
in a rough dry voice
the drawing-room
the main room of a house for receiving visitorsan object or practice the period took for granted
dismantled shelves
shelves stripped bare
the bell-pull
the handle you pull to ring for a servantan object or practice the period took for granted
a small sliding shutter
a small flat cover that slides asidean object or practice the period took for granted
plunging
pushing suddenly and deep
superscribed to
addressed on the outside to
Esq.
a polite title written after a gentleman’s namerank
preceding
coming just before
employed
paid to act for him
suspicious
beginning to doubt him
Male costume
men’s clothing
departed
left
the celebrated
the famous
imprudently
unwisely
antagonist
opponent
hindrance
anything to stop him
cruelly wronged
treated with great injustice
safeguard myself
keep myself out of danger
this epistle
this letter
coldly
with no warmth in his voice
an emerald snake ring
a ring shaped like a snake and set with a green stonean object or practice the period took for granted
amazement
great surprise
threatened
was about
beaten
defeated
wit
a quick and sharp mind
cleverness
being quick and sharp of mind
honourable
worthy of respect

Words inside the phrases119 entries

These were explained above as part of a longer phrase. Here is what each one means on its own.

accomplice
a person who helps another carry out a plan
accustomed
used to something through long habit
altar
the holy table at the front of a church
amiss
wrong, or out of order
beryl
a hard clear stone, often green or blue, used in jewellery
betrayed
gave away a secret without meaning to
betrothal
a public promise to marry
bijou
the French word for a jewel
blanche
the French word for white or blank
bonnet
a soft hat tied under the chin, worn by women then
bridegroom
a man on the day he marries
brimmed
having an edge that sticks out all round
brooch
a piece of jewellery with a pin, fixed to clothing
buckles
metal clasps that hold two ends of a strap
calves
the thick muscles at the back of the lower legs
carte
the French word for card
chamois
a mountain goat, and the soft leather made from its skin
clumsy
awkward in movement, always dropping or breaking things
compunction
a sharp feeling of guilt about what one is doing
confidant
a person trusted with private matters
confined
kept within limits
curb
the raised stone edge between the road and where people walk
daintiest
the most delicate and pretty
delicacy
the quality of needing careful handling
descended
went down
dimly
with little light
dismantled
taken apart or stripped bare
donna
the Italian word for lady
drifted
moved slowly without steering
drunken
full of strong drink
dubious
open to doubt
elbowed
pushed with the bend of the arm
emerald
a bright green precious stone
entangled
caught up in something hard to get free of
epistle
a letter, in a formal old word
exaggerated
made to sound bigger or stronger than it really is
exalted
raised very high in rank
gasogene
an old home machine that pushed gas into water to make it fizzy
gibe
a short remark meant to hurt or mock
gigantic
very large indeed
glimpses
very short sights of something as it passes
grasp
a firm hold, whether by hand or by mind
grinder
a person or machine that gives a blade a fine edge
guardianship
the duty of keeping something safe
hadn
the shortened form of ‘had not’
hansom
a small carriage for two, with the driver seated high behind
hardened
made firm, so that soft feeling cannot enter
hungrily
as a person does who badly wants food
idler
a person who passes time doing nothing
immensely
very greatly
impatience
being unable to bear waiting
impulse
a sudden urge to act
indebted
owing something to another person
indiscretion
a foolish act that a careful person would not do
informality
a failure to follow the proper rules
inviolate
never broken and never to be broken
lent
gave for a time, or gave help
limbs
arms and legs
loafer
a person who idles about with no work
loafing
idling about with no work
locality
the small area around a place
loungers
people standing about with nothing to do
maids
women servants in a house
mews
a row of stables in a back lane, often with rooms above
mistress
a woman a man loves and keeps outside marriage
monograph
a written study of one narrow subject
motives
the reasons that make a person act
mumbling
speaking low and unclearly
neat
clean and in good order
nitrate
a kind of chemical salt
nobleman
a man of high birth, ranking below a king
obstinacy
refusing to change one's mind
operatic
belonging to opera, plays that are sung
overpowering
too strong to be resisted
pavement
the paved path at the side of a road for walking
plumber
a person who fits and repairs water pipes
pooh
a sound made to show that something is worth nothing
questionable
not to be trusted without asking more
rabbi
a teacher and leader in the Jewish faith
rattled
made a quick series of hard knocking sounds
recess
a hollow space set back in a wall
relapsed
fell back into a former state
risen
come up from a lower place or state
rubbing
pressing and moving a hand or cloth over a surface
sardonic
mocking in a bitter way
scent
the smell an animal leaves behind for a dog to follow
scuffle
a short rough fight
sequel
the part that follows on
shabbily
in a worn and poor-looking way
shabby
worn and poor-looking
shag
a strong tobacco cut coarse and cheap
shelves
flat boards fixed to a wall for holding things
shriek
a high sharp cry
sidelights
lamps fixed to the side of a vehicle
simplicity
the state of being easy and plain
slavey
a young house servant made to do the hardest work
sneer
a twist of the mouth that shows scorn
sovereign
an old British gold coin worth one pound
staggered
walked or stepped as if about to fall
sunk
dropped low
superb
very fine indeed
superscribed
written on the outside of a letter
surpliced
wearing the loose white robe of a church service
tore
pulled hard and fast
treachery
turning against someone who trusted you
trifle
a very small amount
trimmed
given a border or edge as decoration
twentieth
number twenty in an order
tying
joining two things with a knot
ulster
a long loose heavy coat worn over other clothes
uncourteous
not polite
unpleasantness
trouble that is hard or nasty to bear
veil
a thin cloth hung over the face to hide it
verbs
the words in a sentence that say what is done
vizard
an old word for a face covering
vouching
saying that something is true and standing behind it
whence
an old word meaning from where
widened
made broader
wooing
trying to win a woman's love in order to marry her