Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Alarm Clock
Alarm Clock

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Alarm Clock
Context Illustration Reading 1/92 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
_Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.
But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.
And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Alarm Clock

Chapter I

Reading 1/92 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.
Line 2
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Line 3
_Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.
Line 4
But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.
Line 5
And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.”

Courtyard noun US /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading “But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.”

Required noun US /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.”

Violent noun US /ˈviolent/

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

From this reading “_Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.”

All words in this reading · 104

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

1960

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

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

ammonium

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

any

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

Astounding

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

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

beaten

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

bits

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

burned

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

burnishing

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

change

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

comes

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

copyright

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

countless

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

country

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

cut

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

e-text

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

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

edges

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

enormously

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

evidence

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

explosives

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

Extensive

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

feet

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

Fiction

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

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

form

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

high

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

inert

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

light

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

like

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

Many

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

mosaic

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

Most

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

nitrate

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

now

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

once

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

Opertal

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

original

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

particular

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

pavement

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

polished

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

pressing

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

Prison

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

produced

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

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

publication

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

punished

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

reflected

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

remain

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

renewed

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

requirednounUS /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

research

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

rock

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

rough

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

S

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

Science

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

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

scuffing

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

seemingly

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

September

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

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

set

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

setting

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

shock

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

smoothed

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

solid

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

stones

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

suffered

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

sun

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

surfaces

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

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

they're

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

triggered

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

U

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

uncover

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

useful

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

variously

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

violentnounUS /ˈviolent/

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

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

years

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

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.