A Scandal in Bohemia — Page 1 | Contextual Explanations

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ADVENTURE I.

ADVENTURE: An exciting or unusual experience. [ədˈvɛnʧər]
I: Roman numeral one, often used to indicate the first part or chapter. [aɪ]

I: Roman numeral one, often used to indicate the first part or chapter. [aɪ]

To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman.

To: preposition indicating direction, purpose, or relationship [tɪ]
Sherlock Holmes: the famous fictional detective [ˈʃərˌlɑk hoʊmz]
she: referring to a specific woman, Irene Adler [ʃi]
is: verb 'to be', linking the subject and predicate [ɪz]
always: at all times; forever [ˈɔlˌweɪz]
the woman: implying she is unique and significant to him [ðə ˈwʊmən]

I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name.

I: the narrator of the story [aɪ]
have: auxiliary verb indicating present perfect tense [hæv]
seldom: rarely; not often [ˈsɛldəm]
heard: past participle of 'hear', meaning to perceive with the ear [hərd]
him: referring to Sherlock Holmes [ɪm]
mention: to speak about someone or something briefly [ˈmɛnʃən]
her: referring to the woman [hər]
under: preposition indicating a lower position or condition [ˈəndər]
any: one or some of a number of things [ˈɛni]
other: different from the one already mentioned [ˈəðər]
name: a word or term by which a person or thing is known [neɪm]

In his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex.

In: preposition indicating location or condition [ɪn]
his: belonging to him [hɪz]
eyes: organs of sight [aɪz]
she: referring to the woman [ʃi]
eclipses: surpasses or overshadows [ɪˈklɪpsɪz]
and: conjunction connecting words or phrases [ənd]
predominates: is the strongest or main element; has controlling power [prɪˈdɑməˌneɪts]
the whole of: all of [ðə hoʊl əv]
her: belonging to women in general [hər]
sex: gender; in this context, women [sɛks]

It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler.

It: pronoun referring to a situation or fact [ɪt]
was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
not: negation [nɑt]
that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
he: referring to Sherlock Holmes [hi]
felt: past tense of 'feel', meaning to experience an emotion [fɛlt]
any: some; one or more [ˈɛni]
emotion: a strong feeling [ˈiˌmoʊʃən]
akin: related or similar [ˈeɪkɪn]
to: preposition indicating relationship or direction [tɪ]
love: a strong feeling of affection [ləv]
for: preposition indicating purpose or recipient [fər]
Irene Adler: the name of the woman [aɪˈrin ˈædlər]

All emotions, and that one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but admirably balanced mind.

All: every one of; the whole quantity of [ɔl]
emotions: strong feelings [ˈɪˌmoʊʃənz]
and: conjunction connecting words or phrases [ənd]
that one: referring to the emotion of love [ðət wən]
particularly: especially; in particular [ˌpɑrˈtɪkjələrli]
were: past tense plural of 'to be' [wər]
abhorrent: inspiring disgust and loathing; repugnant [æˈbhɔrənt]
to: preposition indicating direction or relationship [tɪ]
his: belonging to him [hɪz]
cold: unemotional; lacking affection [koʊld]
precise: exact and accurate [prɪˈsaɪs]
but: conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
admirably: in a way that inspires admiration [ˈædmərəbli]
balanced: stable and well-proportioned [ˈbælənst]
mind: the faculty of thinking, reasoning, and applying knowledge [maɪnd]

He was, I take it, the most perfect reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a lover he would have placed himself in a false position.

He: referring to Sherlock Holmes [hi]
was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
I: the narrator [aɪ]
take: assume [teɪk]
it: referring to the situation [ɪt]
the most: to the greatest extent [ðə moʊst]
perfect: flawless; complete [ˈpərˌfɪkt]
reasoning: the process of thinking about something in a logical way [ˈrizənɪŋ]
and: conjunction connecting words or phrases [ənd]
observing: paying close attention to details [əbˈzərvɪŋ]
machine: something that works automatically [məˈʃin]
that: relative pronoun introducing a clause [ðət]
the world: the earth and all the people and things on it [ðə wərld]
has: auxiliary verb indicating present perfect tense [həz]
seen: past participle of 'see', meaning to perceive with the eyes [sin]
but: conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
as: in the role of [ɛz]
a lover: someone who is in love [ə ˈləvər]
he: referring to Sherlock Holmes [hi]
would: auxiliary verb indicating a conditional statement [wʊd]
have: auxiliary verb indicating perfect tense [hæv]
placed: put in a particular position [pleɪst]
himself: reflexive pronoun referring to himself [hɪmˈsɛlf]
in: preposition indicating location or condition [ɪn]
a false: incorrect or misleading [ə fɔls]
position: situation or role [pəˈzɪʃən]

He never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer.

He: referring to Sherlock Holmes [hi]
never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
spoke: past tense of 'speak', meaning to say something [spoʊk]
of: preposition indicating relationship or origin [əv]
the softer: more gentle and tender [ðə ˈsɔftər]
passions: strong emotions, especially love or desire [ˈpæʃənz]
save: except [seɪv]
with: preposition indicating accompaniment or means [wɪθ]
a gibe: an insulting or mocking remark [ə ʤaɪb]
and: conjunction connecting words or phrases [ənd]
a sneer: a contemptuous or mocking smile or remark [ə snɪr]

They were admirable things for the observer—excellent for drawing the veil from men’s motives and actions.

They: referring to the softer passions [ðeɪ]
were: past tense plural of 'to be' [wər]
admirable: inspiring approval or admiration [ˈædmərəbəl]
things: matters or subjects [θɪŋz]
for: preposition indicating purpose or recipient [fər]
the observer: someone who watches carefully [ðə əbˈzərvər]
excellent: extremely good; outstanding [ˈɛksələnt]
for: preposition indicating purpose [fər]
drawing: pulling or removing [drɔɪŋ]
the veil: something that conceals or obscures [ðə veɪl]
from: preposition indicating origin or separation [frəm]
men’s: belonging to men [mɛnz]
motives: reasons for doing something [ˈmoʊtɪvz]
and: conjunction connecting words or phrases [ənd]
actions: the process of doing something [ˈækʃənz]

But for the trained reasoner to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results.

But: conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
for: preposition indicating purpose or recipient [fər]
the trained: skilled through practice [ðə treɪnd]
reasoner: someone who uses logic and reason [ˈrizənər]
to: preposition indicating purpose or direction [tɪ]
admit: to allow or acknowledge [ədˈmɪt]
such: of the kind previously mentioned [səʧ]
intrusions: the act of wrongfully entering upon, seizing, or taking possession of the property of another [ˌɪnˈtruʒənz]
into: preposition expressing movement or action with the result that something comes inside or penetrates something else [ˈɪntu]
his: belonging to him [hɪz]
own: belonging to oneself [oʊn]
delicate: fragile and easily damaged [ˈdɛləkət]
and: conjunction connecting words or phrases [ənd]
finely: in a refined or elegant manner [ˈfaɪnli]
adjusted: altered or moved slightly in order to achieve the desired fit, appearance, or result [əˈʤəstɪd]
temperament: a person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior [ˈtɛmpərmənt]
was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
to: preposition indicating purpose or direction [tɪ]
introduce: bring (something, especially a product, measure, or concept) into use or operation for the first time [ˌɪntrəˈdus]
a distracting: preventing concentration or diverting attention [ə dɪˈstræktɪŋ]
factor: a circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result or outcome [ˈfæktər]
which: relative pronoun introducing a clause [wɪʧ]
might: auxiliary verb expressing possibility or uncertainty [maɪt]
throw: cause to fall or collapse [θroʊ]
a doubt: a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction [ə daʊt]
upon: preposition meaning on [əˈpɑn]
all: the whole quantity or extent of [ɔl]
his: belonging to him [hɪz]
mental: relating to the mind [ˈmɛntəl]
results: a consequence, effect, or outcome of something [rɪˈzəlts]

Grit in a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a nature such as his.

Grit: small particles of dirt or sand [grɪt]
in: preposition expressing location or position within limits [ɪn]
a sensitive: quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences [ə ˈsɛnsɪtɪv]
instrument: a tool or device used for a particular task, especially for delicate or scientific work [ˈɪnstrəmənt]
or: conjunction introducing an alternative [ər]
a crack: a line on the surface of something along which it has split without breaking into separate parts [ə kræk]
in: preposition expressing location or position within limits [ɪn]
one: used to refer to a single person or thing [wən]
of: preposition expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
his: belonging to him [hɪz]
own: belonging to oneself [oʊn]
high-power: having a high degree of strength or effectiveness [high-~~power~~]
lenses: a piece of glass or other transparent substance with curved sides for concentrating or dispersing light rays [ˈlɛnzɪz]
would: auxiliary verb expressing a conditional statement [wʊd]
not: negation [nɑt]
be: verb 'to be' [bi]
more: a greater amount or degree of [mɔr]
disturbing: interrupting someone's peace of mind; worrying [dɪˈstərbɪŋ]
than: preposition introducing the second element in a comparison [ðən]
a strong: having great force or power [ə strɔŋ]
emotion: a strong feeling [ˈiˌmoʊʃən]
in: preposition expressing location or position within limits [ɪn]
a nature: the basic or inherent features of something, especially when seen as characteristic of it [ə ˈneɪʧər]
such: of the type previously mentioned [səʧ]
as: used to indicate that something is being compared to something else [ɛz]
his: belonging to him [hɪz]

And yet there was but one woman to him, and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory.

And: conjunction introducing a further point or idea [ənd]
yet: but at the same time; nevertheless [jɛt]
there: in or at that place or position [ðɛr]
was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
but: conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
one: a single person or thing [wən]
woman: an adult female human being [ˈwʊmən]
to: preposition expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
him: referring to Sherlock Holmes [ɪm]
and: conjunction connecting words or phrases [ənd]
that: used to identify a specific thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]
woman: an adult female human being [ˈwʊmən]
was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
the late: deceased [ðə leɪt]
Irene Adler: the name of the woman [aɪˈrin ˈædlər]
of: preposition expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
dubious: hesitating or doubting [ˈdubiəs]
and: conjunction connecting words or phrases [ənd]
questionable: open to doubt or suspicion [kˈwɛsʧənəbəl]
memory: the power of remembering things [ˈmɛməri]

I had seen little of Holmes lately.

I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the narrator [aɪ]
had seen: past perfect tense of 'see', indicating an action completed before another point in the past [hæd sin]
little: not much; a small amount [ˈlɪtəl]
of Holmes: referring to the person named Holmes [əv hoʊmz]
lately: recently; in the recent past [ˈleɪtli]

My marriage had drifted us away from each other.

My: first-person possessive pronoun, indicating ownership by the narrator [maɪ]
marriage: the state of being married; the union of two people as partners [ˈmɛrɪʤ]
had drifted: past perfect tense of 'drift', meaning to move slowly away [hæd ˈdrɪftɪd]
us: first-person plural pronoun, referring to the narrator and Holmes [ˈjuˈɛs]
away: to a different place or direction [əˈweɪ]
from: indicating separation or distance [frəm]
each other: reciprocal pronoun, referring to two people [iʧ ˈəðər]

My own complete happiness, and the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature.

My: first-person possessive pronoun [maɪ]
own: emphasizing possession or belonging [oʊn]
complete: total; entire [kəmˈplit]
happiness: the state of being happy [ˈhæpinəs]
and: conjunction, connecting two or more words or clauses [ənd]
the home-centred: focused on the home and family [ðə home-~~centred~~]
interests: things that someone enjoys and wants to learn more about [ˈɪntərɪsts]
which: relative pronoun, referring to the interests [wɪʧ]
rise up: to emerge or appear [raɪz əp]
around: surrounding [əraʊnd]
the man: referring to a male person [ðə mæn]
who: relative pronoun, referring to the man [hu]
first: for the first time [fərst]
finds: to discover or experience [faɪndz]
himself: reflexive pronoun, referring back to the man [hɪmˈsɛlf]
master: having control or authority [ˈmæstər]
of: indicating possession or belonging [əv]
his: third-person possessive pronoun, referring to the man [hɪz]
own: emphasizing possession [oʊn]
establishment: a household or business [ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt]
were: past tense of 'be', linking the subject to the predicate [wər]
sufficient: enough; adequate [səˈfɪʃənt]
to absorb: to take up completely; to occupy fully [tɪ əbˈzɔrb]
all: the whole amount of [ɔl]
my: first-person possessive pronoun [maɪ]
attention: the act of paying attention [əˈtɛnʃən]
while: conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause [waɪl]
Holmes: referring to the person named Holmes [hoʊmz]
who: relative pronoun, referring to Holmes [hu]
loathed: to feel intense dislike or disgust for [loʊðd]
every: each one of a group [ˈɛvəri]
form: type or kind [fɔrm]
of: indicating belonging or association [əv]
society: people living together in an ordered community [soʊˈsaɪɪti]
with: indicating association or accompaniment [wɪθ]
his: third-person possessive pronoun, referring to Holmes [hɪz]
whole: entire; complete [hoʊl]
Bohemian: a person who lives an unconventional life, often in the arts [boʊˈhimiən]
soul: the spiritual or immaterial part of a person [soʊl]
remained: to stay in the same place or condition [rɪˈmeɪnd]
in: indicating location or position [ɪn]
our: first-person plural possessive pronoun, referring to the narrator and Holmes [ɑr]
lodgings: a room or set of rooms rented as a place to live [ˈlɑʤɪŋz]
in: indicating location [ɪn]
Baker Street: a street in London, known as the fictional home of Sherlock Holmes [ˈbeɪkər strit]
buried: covered or hidden [ˈbɛrid]
among: surrounded by [əˈməŋ]
his: third-person possessive pronoun, referring to Holmes [hɪz]
old: having existed for a long time [oʊld]
books: written or printed works consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers [bʊks]
and: conjunction, connecting two or more words or clauses [ənd]
alternating: occurring in turn repeatedly [ˈɔltərˌneɪtɪŋ]
from: indicating a starting point [frəm]
week: a period of seven days [wik]
to: indicating direction or extent [tɪ]
week: a period of seven days [wik]
between: in the space separating two things [bɪtˈwin]
cocaine: a stimulant drug [koʊˈkeɪn]
and: conjunction [ənd]
ambition: a strong desire or determination to achieve something [æmˈbɪʃən]
the drowsiness: the state of being sleepy and lethargic [ðə ˈdraʊzinəs]
of: indicating origin or association [əv]
the drug: a medicine or other substance taken to treat or prevent illness [ðə drəg]
and: conjunction [ənd]
the fierce: having or displaying a violent intensity [ðə fɪrs]
energy: the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity [ˈɛnərʤi]
of: indicating origin or association [əv]
his: third-person possessive pronoun, referring to Holmes [hɪz]
own: emphasizing possession [oʊn]
keen: highly developed; sharp [kin]
nature: the basic or inherent features of something [ˈneɪʧər]

He was still, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police.

He: third-person singular pronoun, referring to Holmes [hi]
was: past tense of 'be', linking the subject to the predicate [wɑz]
still: continuing to be [stɪl]
as: used to indicate that something happens during the time when something else is happening [ɛz]
ever: at all times; always [ˈɛvər]
deeply: to a great depth; intensely [ˈdipli]
attracted: having a strong interest in or liking for something [əˈtræktəd]
by: indicating the agent performing an action [baɪ]
the study: the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on a subject [ðə ˈstədi]
of: indicating the subject of study [əv]
crime: an action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law [kraɪm]
and: conjunction [ənd]
occupied: to fill or take up (a space or time [ˈɑkjəˌpaɪd]
his: third-person possessive pronoun, referring to Holmes [hɪz]
immense: extremely large or great [ˌɪˈmɛns]
faculties: an inherent mental or physical power [ˈfækəltiz]
and: conjunction [ənd]
extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable [ˌɛkstrəˈɔrdəˌnɛri]
powers: the ability to do something or act in a particular way [paʊərz]
of: indicating the object of a power [əv]
observation: the action or process of observing something or someone carefully or in order to gain information [ˌɑbzərˈveɪʃən]
in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
following out: to pursue or investigate something to a conclusion [ˈfɑloʊɪŋ aʊt]
those: plural of 'that', referring to specific items [ðoʊz]
clues: a piece of evidence or information used in the detection of a crime [kluz]
and: conjunction [ənd]
clearing up: to solve or resolve a problem or mystery [ˈklɪrɪŋ əp]
those: plural of 'that', referring to specific items [ðoʊz]
mysteries: something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain [ˈmɪstəriz]
which: relative pronoun, referring to the mysteries [wɪʧ]
had been abandoned: past perfect passive voice of 'abandon', meaning to have been left or deserted [hæd bɪn əˈbændənd]
as: used to indicate the function or character of someone or something [ɛz]
hopeless: without hope; despairing [ˈhoʊpləs]
by: indicating the agent performing an action [baɪ]
the official: authorized or approved by authority [ðə əˈfɪʃəl]
police: a body of people empowered to enforce the law, investigate crimes, and make arrests [pəˈlis]

From time to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland.

From: indicating a starting point [frəm]
time: the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole [taɪm]
to: indicating direction or extent [tɪ]
time: the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole [taɪm]
I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
heard: past tense of 'hear', to perceive with the ear [hərd]
some: an unspecified amount or number of [səm]
vague: of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning [veɪg]
account: a report or description of an event or experience [əˈkaʊnt]
of: indicating the subject of the account [əv]
his: third-person possessive pronoun, referring to Holmes [hɪz]
doings: actions or activities [duɪŋz]
of: indicating the subject of the doings [əv]
his: third-person possessive pronoun, referring to Holmes [hɪz]
summons: an order to appear before a judge or magistrate [ˈsəmənz]
to: indicating direction or purpose [tɪ]
Odessa: a city in Ukraine [oʊˈdɛsə]
in: indicating location [ɪn]
the case: a particular situation or example of something [ðə keɪs]
of: indicating the subject of the case [əv]
the Trepoff murder: referring to a specific murder case [ðə ~~trepoff~~ ˈmərdər]
of: indicating the subject of the account [əv]
his: third-person possessive pronoun, referring to Holmes [hɪz]
clearing up: to solve or resolve a problem or mystery [ˈklɪrɪŋ əp]
of: indicating the subject of the clearing up [əv]
the singular: strange or remarkable [ðə ˈsɪŋgjələr]
tragedy: an event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress [ˈtræʤədi]
of: indicating the subject of the tragedy [əv]
the Atkinson brothers: referring to specific people [ðə ˈætkɪnsən ˈbrəðərz]
at: indicating location [æt]
Trincomalee: a city in Sri Lanka [trɪŋˈkoʊməli]
and: conjunction [ənd]
finally: after a long time; eventually [ˈfaɪnəli]
of: indicating the subject of the account [əv]
the mission: an important assignment, typically involving travel abroad [ðə ˈmɪʃən]
which: relative pronoun, referring to the mission [wɪʧ]
he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to Holmes [hi]
had accomplished: past perfect tense of 'accomplish', meaning to have achieved or completed successfully [hæd əˈkɑmplɪʃt]
so: to such a great extent [soʊ]
delicately: with great care and sensitivity [ˈdɛləkətli]
and: conjunction [ənd]
successfully: achieving the desired aim or result [səkˈsɛsfəli]
for: indicating the recipient or beneficiary [fər]
the reigning: currently ruling [ðə ˈreɪnɪŋ]
family: a group of people related by blood or marriage [ˈfæməli]
of: indicating the family's location [əv]
Holland: a region and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands [ˈhɑlənd]

Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of my former friend and companion.

Beyond: further than or past [bɪɔnd]
these: plural of 'this', referring to specific items [ðiz]
signs: an indication of a condition or quality [saɪnz]
of: indicating the subject of the signs [əv]
his: third-person possessive pronoun, referring to Holmes [hɪz]
activity: the condition in which things are happening or being done [ækˈtɪvɪti]
however: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
which: relative pronoun, referring to the signs [wɪʧ]
I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
merely: just; only [ˈmɪrli]
shared: to have or use something jointly with others [ʃɛrd]
with: indicating association or accompaniment [wɪθ]
all: the whole number or quantity of [ɔl]
the readers: people who read a particular newspaper, magazine, or book [ðə ˈridərz]
of: indicating the source of the readers [əv]
the daily: appearing or done each day [ðə ˈdeɪli]
press: newspapers and magazines collectively [prɛs]
I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
knew: past tense of 'know', to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information [nu]
little: not much; a small amount [ˈlɪtəl]
of: concerning [əv]
my: first-person possessive pronoun [maɪ]
former: having previously filled a particular role or been a particular thing [ˈfɔrmər]
friend: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [frɛnd]
and: conjunction [ənd]
companion: a person with whom one spends a lot of time or with whom one travels [kəmˈpænjən]

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