A Scandal in Bohemia — Page 7 | Contextual Explanations

You are reading page 7 of 22 from A Scandal in Bohemia by Arthur Conan Doyle. Use the contextual explanations to improve your English comprehension.

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“If your Majesty would condescend to state your case,” he remarked, “I should be better able to advise you.”

If: used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]
your: belonging to you [jʊr]
Majesty: used as a form of address for a king, queen, or emperor [ˈmæʤəsti]
would: used to make a polite request [wʊd]
condescend: do something in a way that shows you consider yourself better than other people [ˌkɑndɪˈsɛnd]
to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
state: express something definitely or clearly [steɪt]
your: belonging to you [jʊr]
case: a set of facts or arguments supporting one side in a dispute or trial [keɪs]
he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to Holmes [hi]
remarked: said something as a comment [rɪˈmɑrkt]
I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
should: used to indicate a conditional or expected outcome [ʃʊd]
be: to exist or occur [bi]
better: of a higher standard, or more suitable, pleasing, or effective than other things or people [ˈbɛtər]
able: having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something [ˈeɪbəl]
to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
advise: offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone [ədˈvaɪz]
you: second-person singular pronoun, referring to the person being addressed [ju]

The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in uncontrollable agitation.

The: definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]
man: an adult male human being [mæn]
sprang: moved suddenly upward or forward [spræŋ]
from: indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]
his: possessive pronoun, referring to the man [hɪz]
chair: a seat for one person, typically with a back and four legs [ʧɛr]
and: conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
paced: walked at a steady speed, especially without a particular destination and as an expression of anxiety or annoyance [peɪst]
up: toward a higher place or position [əp]
and: conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
down: toward a lower place or position [daʊn]
the: definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]
room: a space within a building that is enclosed by walls or partitions [rum]
in: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
uncontrollable: not able to be controlled [ˌənkənˈtroʊləbəl]
agitation: a state of anxiety or nervous excitement [ˌæʤəˈteɪʃən]

Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. “You are right,” he cried; “I am the King.

Then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
with: accompanied by [wɪθ]
a: indefinite article, referring to one of a general type [ə]
gesture: a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning [ˈʤɛsʧər]
of: expressing the relationship between two things [əv]
desperation: a state of hopelessness leading to rashness [ˌdɛspərˈeɪʃɪn]
he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to the man [hi]
tore: past tense of 'tear', meaning to pull or rip apart [tɔr]
the: definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]
mask: a covering worn on the face, typically for disguise or protection [mæsk]
from: indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]
his: possessive pronoun, referring to the man [hɪz]
face: the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin [feɪs]
and: conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
hurled: threw forcefully [hərld]
it: pronoun, referring to the mask [ɪt]
upon: on top of [əˈpɑn]
the: definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]
ground: the solid surface of the earth [graʊnd]
You: second-person singular pronoun, referring to the person being addressed [ju]
are: present tense of the verb 'to be' [ər]
right: correct; true [raɪt]
he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to the man [hi]
cried: shouted or exclaimed loudly [kraɪd]
I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
am: present tense of the verb 'to be' [æm]
the: definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]
King: a male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth [kɪŋ]

“Why, indeed?” murmured Holmes. “Your Majesty had not spoken before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hereditary King of Bohemia.”

Why, indeed: An expression of surprise or agreement, suggesting the speaker finds the situation noteworthy or confirming something already suspected. [waɪ ˌɪnˈdid]
murmured: Spoke in a low, soft, or indistinct voice. [ˈmərmərd]
Holmes: Referring to Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective. [hoʊmz]
Your Majesty: A formal address to a king or queen. [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]
had not spoken: Indicates that the person being addressed had remained silent until this point. [hæd nɑt ˈspoʊkən]
before: Prior to the time when. [ˌbiˈfɔr]
I was aware: Before I realized or knew. [aɪ wɑz əˈwɛr]
that: Used to introduce a clause stating the content of what was realized. [ðət]
I was addressing: That I was speaking to. [aɪ wɑz æˈdrɛsɪŋ]
Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein: A long, formal name indicating nobility. [ˈwɪˌlhɛlm ~~gottsreich~~ ~~sigismond~~ vɔn ~~ormstein~~]
Grand Duke: A noble rank, below a king but above other dukes. [grænd duk]
of Cassel-Felstein: Specifies the territory ruled by the Grand Duke. [əv cassel-~~felstein~~]
and hereditary King: King by right of inheritance. [ənd hərˈɛdəˌtɛri kɪŋ]

“But you can understand,” said our strange visitor, sitting down once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, “you can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own person.

But you can understand: Expressing the speaker's hope that the listener can comprehend the situation. [bət ju kən ˌəndərˈstænd]
said: The speaker uttered. [sɛd]
our strange visitor: Referring to someone who has come to see them and is perceived as unusual. [ɑr streɪnʤ ˈvɪzɪtər]
sitting down: Taking a seat. [ˈsɪtɪŋ daʊn]
once more: Again; one more time. [wəns mɔr]
and passing his hand: Moving his hand. [ənd ˈpæsɪŋ hɪz hænd]
over: Across the surface of. [ˈoʊvər]
his high white forehead: Describing the visitor's forehead as prominent and pale. [hɪz haɪ waɪt ˈfɔrhɛd]
you can understand: Repeating the initial plea for comprehension. [ju kən ˌəndərˈstænd]
that: Introducing a clause explaining what the speaker hopes the listener will understand. [ðət]
I am not accustomed: I am not used to. [aɪ æm nɑt əˈkəstəmd]
to doing such business: To handling matters of this kind. [tɪ duɪŋ səʧ ˈbɪznɪs]
in my own person: Personally; without using a representative. [ɪn maɪ oʊn ˈpərsən]

Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power.

Yet: However; nevertheless. [jɛt]
the matter: The issue or situation. [ðə ˈmætər]
was so delicate: Was so sensitive or requiring careful handling. [wɑz soʊ ˈdɛləkət]
that: Introducing the consequence of the matter being delicate. [ðət]
I could not confide it: I could not entrust it. [aɪ kʊd nɑt kənˈfaɪd ɪt]
to an agent: To a representative or intermediary. [tɪ ən ˈeɪʤənt]
without putting myself: Without placing myself. [wɪˈθaʊt ˈpʊtɪŋ ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
in his power: Under his control or influence. [ɪn hɪz paʊər]

“Then, pray consult,” said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more.

Then: Indicates a sequence in the narrative or conversation. [ðɛn]
pray: An archaic way of saying 'please'; used to make a polite request. [preɪ]
consult: Seek information or advice from someone. [kənˈsəlt]
said: The verb indicating who is speaking. [sɛd]
Holmes: The name of the speaker. [hoʊmz]
shutting: Closing. [ˈʃətɪŋ]
his: Belonging to Holmes. [hɪz]
eyes: Organs of sight. [aɪz]

“The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you.”

The: Used to refer to specific facts. [ðə]
facts: Pieces of information used as evidence. [fækts]
are: Linking verb. [ər]
briefly: In a concise or short manner. [ˈbrifli]
these: Introducing the facts that will be stated. [ðiz]
Some: Approximately. [səm]
five: The number 5. [faɪv]
years: Units of time, each consisting of 365 days. [jɪrz]
ago: In the past. [əˈgoʊ]
during: Throughout the course of. [ˈdʊrɪŋ]
a lengthy: Long; extended. [ə ˈlɛŋθi]
visit: A stay at a place. [ˈvɪzɪt]
to: Indicating direction or location. [tɪ]
Warsaw: The capital of Poland. [ˈwɔrˌsɔ]
I: The speaker. [aɪ]
made: Past tense of 'make'; to perform an action. [meɪd]
the acquaintance: The process of getting to know someone. [ðə əkˈweɪntəns]
of: Indicating possession or association. [əv]
the well-known: Famous; widely recognized. [ðə ˈwɛlˈnoʊn]
adventuress: A woman who seeks adventures, often in a daring or unscrupulous way. [~~adventuress~~]
name: A word or words by which someone or something is known. [neɪm]
is: Linking verb. [ɪz]
no doubt: Without question; certainly. [noʊ daʊt]
familiar: Well-known; easily recognized. [fəˈmɪljər]
to: Indicating the recipient. [tɪ]
you: The person being addressed. [ju]

“Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor,” murmured Holmes without opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fishes.

Kindly: Please; in a kind manner. [ˈkaɪndli]
look: To direct one's gaze. [lʊk]
her: Referring to Irene Adler. [hər]
up: To search for information. [əp]
in: Within. [ɪn]
my: Belonging to the speaker, Holmes. [maɪ]
index: An organized list providing detailed information. [ˈɪndɛks]
Doctor: Addressing Dr. Watson. [ˈdɔktər]
murmured: Spoke in a low, soft voice. [ˈmərmərd]
Holmes: The speaker. [hoʊmz]
without: Not doing something. [wɪˈθaʊt]
opening: The act of opening. [ˈoʊpənɪŋ]
his: Belonging to Holmes. [hɪz]
many: A large number of. [ˈmɛni]
years: Units of time. [jɪrz]
he: Referring to Holmes. [hi]
had adopted: Had started using. [hæd əˈdɑptəd]
a system: An organized method. [ə ˈsɪstəm]
of: Indicating association. [əv]
docketing: Summarizing and arranging documents. [~~docketing~~]
all: Every one of. [ɔl]
paragraphs: Sections of text. [ˈpɛrəˌgræfs]
concerning: About; regarding. [kənˈsərnɪŋ]
men: People. [mɛn]
and: Connecting words. [ənd]
things: Objects or matters. [θɪŋz]
so that: With the result that. [soʊ ðət]
it: Referring to the situation. [ɪt]
was: Linking verb. [wɑz]
difficult: Not easy. [ˈdɪfəkəlt]
to: In order to. [tɪ]
name: To specify. [neɪm]
a subject: A topic. [ə ˈsəbʤɪkt]
or: Connecting alternative options. [ər]
a person: An individual. [ə ˈpərsən]
on: About. [ɔn]
which: Referring to the subject or person. [wɪʧ]
he: Referring to Holmes. [hi]
could: Was able to. [kʊd]
not: Negative particle. [nɑt]
at once: Immediately. [æt wəns]
furnish: Provide. [ˈfərnɪʃ]
this: Referring to the current situation. [ðɪs]
case: Instance. [keɪs]
I: Referring to the narrator. [aɪ]
found: Discovered. [faʊnd]
her: Referring to Irene Adler. [hər]
biography: An account of someone's life. [baɪˈɑgrəfi]
sandwiched: Squeezed in between. [ˈsænˌwɪʧt]
in between: Between two things. [ɪn bɪtˈwin]
that: Referring to the biography. [ðət]
of: Indicating association. [əv]
a Hebrew: Relating to the Hebrews. [ə ˈhibru]
rabbi: A Jewish religious leader. [ˈræˌbaɪ]
and: Connecting words. [ənd]
that: Referring to the biography. [ðət]
of: Indicating association. [əv]
a staff-commander: A military officer. [ə staff-~~commander~~]
who: Referring to the staff-commander. [hu]
had written: Had authored. [hæd ˈrɪtən]
a monograph: A detailed written study. [ə ˈmɑnəˌgræf]
upon: About. [əˈpɑn]
the deep-sea: Relating to the deep ocean. [ðə deep-~~sea~~]

“Let me see!” said Holmes. “Hum!

Let me see: An expression indicating a desire to examine or understand something
said: past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]
Holmes: referring to Sherlock Holmes, the detective [hoʊmz]
Hum: An exclamation expressing thought, hesitation, or mild surprise

Born in New Jersey in the year 1858.

Born: having come into existence through birth
in: indicating location or place [ɪn]
New Jersey: a state in the United States
in: indicating a point in time [ɪn]
the year: a specific year
1858: the year in question

Contralto—hum!

Contralto: a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type
hum: another exclamation expressing thought or hesitation

La Scala, hum!