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After London
After London

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for After London
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

After London

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
Line 2
The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
Line 3
She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
Line 4
As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
Line 5
Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.”

Merchant noun US /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading “The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.”

Passage noun US /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading “THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.”

Sail noun US /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

aid

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

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

altered

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

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

apart

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

approached

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

away

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

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

ceased

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

continue

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

contracted

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

difficulty

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

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

eastern

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

From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.

Entering

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

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

far

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

Felix

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

following

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

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

hills

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

Lake

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

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

mainland

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

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

mile

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

miles

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

mouth

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

From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.

moved

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

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

narrows

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

near

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

north-north-east

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

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

northern

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

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

off

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

other

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

passagenounUS /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

presently

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

quickly

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

raised

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

reached

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

receded

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

sailnounUS /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

sailed

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

From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.

saw

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

shores

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

showing

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

shut

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

slowly

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

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

spot

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

square

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

strait

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

From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.

STRAITS

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

sweeps

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

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

there

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

thus

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

two

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

vessel

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

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.

watched

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

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.