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The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

He's a Big Shot Gambler

(Lesson 5)

Total words 144 Video duration 7:52



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animal

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
A video clip called The animals became a responsibility and a liability.

The animals became a responsibility and a liability.
arrest

the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
A video clip called Many arrests, no convictions.

Many arrests, no convictions.
bankroll

a roll of currency notes (often taken as the resources of a person or business etc.)
A video clip called Broke many times, but always turns up with a new bankroll.

Broke many times, but always turns up with a new bankroll.
bet

the act of gambling
A video clip called You got a bet.

You got a bet.
big shot

an important influential person
A video clip called He's a big shot gambler.

He's a big shot gambler.
book

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
A video clip called An open book.

An open book.
boswell

Scottish author noted for his biography of Samuel Johnson (1740-1795)
A video clip called Boswell's Life of Johnson.

Boswell's Life of Johnson.
bye

a farewell remark
A video clip called Bye, Martha.

Bye, Martha.
cash

money in the form of bills or coins
A video clip called I lost my hard-earned cash.

I lost my hard-earned cash.
certificate

a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
A video clip called - The car in Dempsey's garage? - The ownership certificate says he owns it.

- The car in Dempsey's garage? - The ownership certificate says he owns it.
circus

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
A video clip called I went out of this town with the circus, the one you were supposed to go with.

I went out of this town with the circus, the one you were supposed to go with.
college

the body of faculty and students of a college
A video clip called Except for the few years I went to college.

Except for the few years I went to college.
conviction

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
A video clip called Many arrests, no convictions.

Many arrests, no convictions.
county

(United States) the largest administrative district within a state
A video clip called Get me the county jail. I want the Superintendent of the Women's Division.

Get me the county jail. I want the Superintendent of the Women's Division.
couple

two items of the same kind
A video clip called All right, it's true. We were just a couple of kids.

All right, it's true. We were just a couple of kids.
couple

a pair who associate with one another
A video clip called The out-of-town reports are still coming in. You'll have a complete file on him in a couple of hours.

The out-of-town reports are still coming in. You'll have a complete file on him in a couple of hours.
deputy

someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
A video clip called - Yes? - I have the county jail for you, Mr. O'Neil. Deputy Elizabeth Baker is on.

- Yes? - I have the county jail for you, Mr. O'Neil. Deputy Elizabeth Baker is on.
dice

a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
A video clip called The police in every state have tried to find the source of his money, but no dice.

The police in every state have tried to find the source of his money, but no dice.
dining

the act of eating dinner
A video clip called This is the dining room.

This is the dining room.
division

an administrative unit in government or business
A video clip called Get me the county jail. I want the Superintendent of the Women's Division.

Get me the county jail. I want the Superintendent of the Women's Division.
doll

a small replica of a person; used as a toy
A video clip called Little girls grow up. But they never get through playing with dolls.

Little girls grow up. But they never get through playing with dolls.
dream

a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
A video clip called No time for dreams.

No time for dreams.
estate

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
A video clip called Soon after my aunt died the executors of the estate wanted to close the house and send me to school,

Soon after my aunt died the executors of the estate wanted to close the house and send me to school,
executor

a person appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of the will
A video clip called Soon after my aunt died the executors of the estate wanted to close the house and send me to school,

Soon after my aunt died the executors of the estate wanted to close the house and send me to school,
file

a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together
A video clip called The out-of-town reports are still coming in. You'll have a complete file on him in a couple of hours.

The out-of-town reports are still coming in. You'll have a complete file on him in a couple of hours.
freight

goods carried by a large vehicle
A video clip called Why, in the freight car that night, you told me you weren't.

Why, in the freight car that night, you told me you weren't.
gambler

a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
A video clip called Now in that I had some success... me being a gambler, and people being what they are.

Now in that I had some success... me being a gambler, and people being what they are.
sake

a reason for wanting something done
A video clip called Sam, for old time's sake?

Sam, for old time's sake?
garage

an outbuilding (or part of a building) for housing automobiles
A video clip called Dempsey's garage.

Dempsey's garage.
husband

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
A video clip called You're kind of formal about your husband, aren't you?

You're kind of formal about your husband, aren't you?
liability

the quality of being something that holds you back
A video clip called The animals became a responsibility and a liability.

The animals became a responsibility and a liability.
lightning

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
A video clip called There was a storm that night, thunder and lightning.

There was a storm that night, thunder and lightning.
lion

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
A video clip called Well, my lion got the mange and gave it to the monkeys.

Well, my lion got the mange and gave it to the monkeys.
mange

a persistent and contagious disease of the skin causing inflammation and itching and loss of hair; affects domestic animals (and sometimes people)
A video clip called Well, my lion got the mange and gave it to the monkeys.

Well, my lion got the mange and gave it to the monkeys.
message

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
A video clip called I found your message when I got back to the hotel.

I found your message when I got back to the hotel.
monkey

any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)
A video clip called Well, my lion got the mange and gave it to the monkeys.

Well, my lion got the mange and gave it to the monkeys.
neck

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
A video clip called Okay, fine. I haven't been on a rubber-neck tour in years.

Okay, fine. I haven't been on a rubber-neck tour in years.
odds

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
A video clip called Almost anything, depending on the odds.

Almost anything, depending on the odds.
ownership

the relation of an owner to the thing possessed; possession with the right to transfer possession to others
A video clip called - The car in Dempsey's garage? - The ownership certificate says he owns it.

- The car in Dempsey's garage? - The ownership certificate says he owns it.
radiator

a mechanism consisting of a metal honeycomb through which hot fluids circulate; heat is transferred from the fluid through the honeycomb to the airstream that is created either by the motion of the vehicle or by a fan
A video clip called - What's wrong with it? - Smashed radiator.

- What's wrong with it? - Smashed radiator.
rap

a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
A video clip called He beat a murder rap in Frisco. Self-defense.

He beat a murder rap in Frisco. Self-defense.
record

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
A video clip called He has a war record few can equal.

He has a war record few can equal.
responsibility

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
A video clip called The animals became a responsibility and a liability.

The animals became a responsibility and a liability.
rest

something left after other parts have been taken away
A video clip called Come on, I'll show you what I've done with the rest of the house.

Come on, I'll show you what I've done with the rest of the house.
rubber

an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
A video clip called Okay, fine. I haven't been on a rubber-neck tour in years.

Okay, fine. I haven't been on a rubber-neck tour in years.
school

an educational institution
A video clip called - When I finished school. - All right.

- When I finished school. - All right.
self-defense

the act of defending yourself
A video clip called He beat a murder rap in Frisco. Self-defense.

He beat a murder rap in Frisco. Self-defense.
service

work done by one person or group that benefits another
A video clip called Don't mention it. Glad to be of service, Mrs. O'Neil.

Don't mention it. Glad to be of service, Mrs. O'Neil.
source

the place where something begins, where it springs into being
A video clip called The police in every state have tried to find the source of his money, but no dice.

The police in every state have tried to find the source of his money, but no dice.
state

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
A video clip called The police in every state have tried to find the source of his money, but no dice.

The police in every state have tried to find the source of his money, but no dice.
storm

a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
A video clip called There was a storm that night, thunder and lightning.

There was a storm that night, thunder and lightning.
subject

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
A video clip called All right. I pick Walter as my subject.

All right. I pick Walter as my subject.
success

a state of prosperity or fame
A video clip called Now in that I had some success... me being a gambler, and people being what they are.

Now in that I had some success... me being a gambler, and people being what they are.
superintendent

a person who directs and manages an organization
A video clip called Get me the county jail. I want the Superintendent of the Women's Division.

Get me the county jail. I want the Superintendent of the Women's Division.
thief

a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
A video clip called A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.

A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.
thing

a special abstraction
A video clip called Things come back to you.

Things come back to you.
thunder

a booming or crashing noise caused by air expanding along the path of a bolt of lightning
A video clip called There was a storm that night, thunder and lightning.

There was a storm that night, thunder and lightning.
tour

a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area
A video clip called Okay, fine. I haven't been on a rubber-neck tour in years.

Okay, fine. I haven't been on a rubber-neck tour in years.
turn

(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
A video clip called - Pick another subject. - It's your turn.

- Pick another subject. - It's your turn.
tutor

a person who gives private instruction (as in singing, acting, etc.)
A video clip called - Mr. O'Neil was my tutor, you remember him? - Oh, yeah.

- Mr. O'Neil was my tutor, you remember him? - Oh, yeah.
war

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
A video clip called He has a war record few can equal.

He has a war record few can equal.
window

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
A video clip called It seems that only yesterday I came through that window.

It seems that only yesterday I came through that window.
world

everything that exists anywhere
A video clip called You know, I used to think this was the swellest spot in the world.

You know, I used to think this was the swellest spot in the world.
yen

a yearning for something or to do something
A video clip called A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.

A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.
beat

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
A video clip called He beat a murder rap in Frisco. Self-defense.

He beat a murder rap in Frisco. Self-defense.
add

make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
A video clip called You can add this to your report.

You can add this to your report.
become

undergo a change or development
A video clip called The animals became a responsibility and a liability.

The animals became a responsibility and a liability.
bring

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
A video clip called Well, that brings us up to my 21st year... when I became a man officially.

Well, that brings us up to my 21st year... when I became a man officially.
change

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
A video clip called It's the only room I didn't change.

It's the only room I didn't change.
check

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
A video clip called Didn't you check that?

Didn't you check that?
clear

rid of obstructions
A video clip called The exact date. How come that's so clear in your mind?

The exact date. How come that's so clear in your mind?
close

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
A video clip called Soon after my aunt died the executors of the estate wanted to close the house and send me to school,

Soon after my aunt died the executors of the estate wanted to close the house and send me to school,
come

reach or enter a state, relation, condition, use, or position
A video clip called Only one dream, Sam, and it came true. You're here.

Only one dream, Sam, and it came true. You're here.
come

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
A video clip called I figured you wouldn't mind if I came in person.

I figured you wouldn't mind if I came in person.
depend

be contingent upon (something that is elided)
A video clip called Almost anything, depending on the odds.

Almost anything, depending on the odds.
equal

be identical or equivalent to
A video clip called He has a war record few can equal.

He has a war record few can equal.
except

prevent from being included or considered or accepted
A video clip called Except for the few years I went to college.

Except for the few years I went to college.
feel

come to believe on the basis of emotion, intuitions, or indefinite grounds
A video clip called I felt I'd been there before.

I felt I'd been there before.
figure

judge to be probable
A video clip called I figured you wouldn't mind if I came in person.

I figured you wouldn't mind if I came in person.
find

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
A video clip called The police in every state have tried to find the source of his money, but no dice.

The police in every state have tried to find the source of his money, but no dice.
fix

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
A video clip called How long will it take to fix it?

How long will it take to fix it?
get

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
A video clip called Get me the county jail. I want the Superintendent of the Women's Division.

Get me the county jail. I want the Superintendent of the Women's Division.
get away

remove oneself from a familiar environment, usually for pleasure or diversion
A video clip called Walter's father thought it would be good for me to get away for awhile.

Walter's father thought it would be good for me to get away for awhile.
get through

finish a task completely
A video clip called Little girls grow up. But they never get through playing with dolls.

Little girls grow up. But they never get through playing with dolls.
give

be the cause or source of
A video clip called Well, my lion got the mange and gave it to the monkeys.

Well, my lion got the mange and gave it to the monkeys.
hate

dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards
A video clip called I hate it.

I hate it.
impress

have an emotional or cognitive impact upon
A video clip called You impressed me this morning as a man who would bet on anything.

You impressed me this morning as a man who would bet on anything.
improve

to make better
A video clip called I thought I might improve my mind, while I waited.

I thought I might improve my mind, while I waited.
leave

go and leave behind, either intentionally or by neglect or forgetfulness
A video clip called I'm sorry. Sorry that you ever left here.

I'm sorry. Sorry that you ever left here.
live

inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of
A video clip called After my aunt died, he and Walter lived here.

After my aunt died, he and Walter lived here.
lose

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
A video clip called I lost my hard-earned cash.

I lost my hard-earned cash.
marry

take in marriage
A video clip called When did you marry him?

When did you marry him?
mention

make reference to
A video clip called Don't mention it. Glad to be of service, Mrs. O'Neil.

Don't mention it. Glad to be of service, Mrs. O'Neil.
mind

be offended or bothered by; take offense with, be bothered by
A video clip called I figured you wouldn't mind if I came in person.

I figured you wouldn't mind if I came in person.
pick

select carefully from a group
A video clip called All right. I pick Walter as my subject.

All right. I pick Walter as my subject.
play

participate in games or sport
A video clip called Little girls grow up. But they never get through playing with dolls.

Little girls grow up. But they never get through playing with dolls.
report

to give an account or representation of in words
A video clip called There's not much to report on him, locally.

There's not much to report on him, locally.
run

flee; take to one's heels; cut and run
A video clip called A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.

A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.
run away

escape from the control of
A video clip called We were going to run away together that night.

We were going to run away together that night.
see

perceive (an idea or situation) mentally
A video clip called Let's see, you left here September 27th, 1928.

Let's see, you left here September 27th, 1928.
show

make visible or noticeable
A video clip called Come on, I'll show you what I've done with the rest of the house.

Come on, I'll show you what I've done with the rest of the house.
smash

break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over
A video clip called - What's wrong with it? - Smashed radiator.

- What's wrong with it? - Smashed radiator.
speak

express in speech
A video clip called No, I was speaking about his father.

No, I was speaking about his father.
take

require (time or space)
A video clip called How long will it take to fix it?

How long will it take to fix it?
take care

take charge of or deal with
A video clip called Yes. Yes, he took care of everything. You didn't like that?

Yes. Yes, he took care of everything. You didn't like that?
take care

be in charge of or deal with
A video clip called Mr. O'Neil, uh, Walter's father, he sort of took care of everything didn't he?

Mr. O'Neil, uh, Walter's father, he sort of took care of everything didn't he?
tear

separate or cause to separate abruptly
A video clip called I got ambitious and that tore it, but good.

I got ambitious and that tore it, but good.
turn up

appear or become visible; make a showing
A video clip called Broke many times, but always turns up with a new bankroll.

Broke many times, but always turns up with a new bankroll.
satisfied

filled with satisfaction
A video clip called I got so I wasn't satisfied just being friendly with the animals. I got so I wanted to own the animals.

I got so I wasn't satisfied just being friendly with the animals. I got so I wanted to own the animals.
rushed

done under pressure
A video clip called Well, it was a rush job anyway, and I'm rushed enough as it is.

Well, it was a rush job anyway, and I'm rushed enough as it is.
afraid

filled with fear or apprehension
A video clip called I was afraid of the thunder.

I was afraid of the thunder.
ambitious

having a strong desire for success or achievement
A video clip called I got ambitious and that tore it, but good.

I got ambitious and that tore it, but good.
animal

marked by the appetites and passions of the body
A video clip called So I bought some animals.

So I bought some animals.
another

any of various alternatives; some other
A video clip called - Pick another subject. - It's your turn.

- Pick another subject. - It's your turn.
both

(used with count nouns) two considered together; the two
A video clip called I understood when I saw both of you together in the office.

I understood when I saw both of you together in the office.
broke

lacking funds
A video clip called Broke many times, but always turns up with a new bankroll.

Broke many times, but always turns up with a new bankroll.
complete

having every necessary or normal part or component or step
A video clip called The out-of-town reports are still coming in. You'll have a complete file on him in a couple of hours.

The out-of-town reports are still coming in. You'll have a complete file on him in a couple of hours.
cozy

enjoying or affording comforting warmth and shelter especially in a small space
A video clip called That was cozy.

That was cozy.
crowded

overfilled or compacted or concentrated
A video clip called Isn't it kind of crowded?

Isn't it kind of crowded?
dark

devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black
A video clip called It used to be so dark and ugly when she...

It used to be so dark and ugly when she...
earned

gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
A video clip called I lost my hard-earned cash.

I lost my hard-earned cash.
formal

being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
A video clip called You're kind of formal about your husband, aren't you?

You're kind of formal about your husband, aren't you?
friendly

characteristic of or befitting a friend
A video clip called I got so I wasn't satisfied just being friendly with the animals. I got so I wanted to own the animals.

I got so I wasn't satisfied just being friendly with the animals. I got so I wanted to own the animals.
glad

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
A video clip called Don't mention it. Glad to be of service, Mrs. O'Neil.

Don't mention it. Glad to be of service, Mrs. O'Neil.
great

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
A video clip called A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.

A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.
like

resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics; often used in combination
A video clip called A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.

A ran like a thief out of there with a great yen to become friendly with people.
many

A large number of; numerous
A video clip called Broke many times, but always turns up with a new bankroll.

Broke many times, but always turns up with a new bankroll.
open

affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed
A video clip called An open book.

An open book.
out-of-town

happening in or being of another town or city
A video clip called The out-of-town reports are still coming in. You'll have a complete file on him in a couple of hours.

The out-of-town reports are still coming in. You'll have a complete file on him in a couple of hours.
rush

done under pressure
A video clip called Well, it was a rush job anyway, and I'm rushed enough as it is.

Well, it was a rush job anyway, and I'm rushed enough as it is.
sorry

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
A video clip called I'm sorry. Sorry that you ever left here.

I'm sorry. Sorry that you ever left here.
ugly

displeasing to the senses
A video clip called It used to be so dark and ugly when she...

It used to be so dark and ugly when she...
Lesson Instructions
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