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A Dash from Diamond City
A Dash from Diamond City

Chapter I

Cover illustration for A Dash from Diamond City
Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
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A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.
The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.
Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.
Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.
Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Dash from Diamond City

Chapter I

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.
Line 2
The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.
Line 3
Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.
Line 4
Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.
Line 5
Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.”

Wounded noun US /wounded/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.”

All words in this reading · 79

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.

Africa

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

From this reading The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

anywhere

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

arrive

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

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

away

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

back

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

blood-stained

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

Boer

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

From this reading The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.

Boer-occupied

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.

City

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

From this reading A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.

country

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

Dash

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

From this reading A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.

despatches

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

Diamond

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

From this reading A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.

Fenn

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

From this reading A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.

filthy

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

finally

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

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

fortnight

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

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.

General

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

George

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

From this reading A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.

get

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

idea

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

important

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

jacket

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

Just

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

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

Kimberley

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

Luckily

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

Mafeking

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

Manville

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

From this reading A Dash from Diamond City, by George Manville Fenn.

many

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

meeting

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

men

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

mishaps

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

most

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

now

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

probably

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

sent

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

setting

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

From this reading The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.

severely

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

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

sewn

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

South

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

From this reading The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.

there

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

thrown

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

travelling

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

Two

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

unconscious

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

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

war

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

From this reading The setting is South Africa, during the Boer war.

wasn't

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Luckily the despatches, which had been sewn into a jacket, now filthy and blood-stained, are still to be found, though there had been the idea that the jacket would most probably have been thrown away, as it wasn't at first anywhere to be found.

wounded

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

From this reading Just before they finally arrive they are both severely wounded, and are unconscious for a fortnight.

young

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

From this reading Two young men are sent from Mafeking with important despatches which they have to get back to the General at Kimberley, travelling through Boer-occupied country, and meeting with many mishaps.