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Aliens
Aliens

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for Aliens
Context Illustration Reading 1/91 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.
When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.
For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.
Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.
You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Aliens

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/91 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.
Line 2
When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.
Line 3
For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.
Line 4
Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.
Line 5
You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.”

Whenever conjunction US /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading “DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

all

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

America

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

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

any

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

anywhere

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

arguments

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

arrive

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

From this reading You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

arrives

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

Broadway

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

chance

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

concentrated

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

contrary

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

customs

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

cynical

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

DISCUSSION

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

give

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

highly

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

immemorial

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

incidentally

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

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

instead

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

From this reading You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

Interest

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

Just

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

Limited

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

From this reading You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

liner

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

From this reading You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

Local

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

Main

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

many

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

metropolitan

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

New

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

ocean

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

From this reading You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

over-illuminated

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

practice

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

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

press

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

principle

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

From this reading You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

rather

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

remain

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

root-principle

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

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading You arrive on an ocean liner instead of on the Limited, but the principle is the same.

satisfied

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

sea

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

show

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

spite

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

States

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

stranger

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

Street

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

From this reading Just as Broadway is a rather over-illuminated Main Street, so the metropolitan press is a highly concentrated Local Interest.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

understanding

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

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

United

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

From this reading For in spite of many cynical arguments to the contrary, I remain satisfied that New York is, after all, part of the United States.

way

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

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.

wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

York

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

From this reading DISCUSSION One of the immemorial customs of New York, whenever a stranger arrives from across the sea, should he by any chance have ever done anything, anywhere, is to give him a show.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading When you understand the root-principle of this practice, you are on the way to understanding New York, and incidentally, America.