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All Taut
All Taut

Chapter VII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A STARTLING EVENT ON THE ROAD.
When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.
The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.
Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.
The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.
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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.

All Taut

Chapter VII

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A STARTLING EVENT ON THE ROAD.
Line 2
When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.
Line 3
The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.
Line 4
Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.
Line 5
The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.”

All words in this reading · 68

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

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A STARTLING EVENT ON THE ROAD.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

any

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

backed

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

board

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

brilliant

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

created

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

crowd

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

dropping

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

From this reading Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.

enough

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

escape

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

EVENT

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

From this reading A STARTLING EVENT ON THE ROAD.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

Goldwing

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

hastened

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

headway

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

From this reading Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.

heavily

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.

latter

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

lost

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

From this reading Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.

manned

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

manœuvres

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

motionless

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

near

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A STARTLING EVENT ON THE ROAD.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

picnic-party

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

position

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

quarter-boat

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

From this reading Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.

rested

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

ROAD

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

From this reading A STARTLING EVENT ON THE ROAD.

school

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

screw

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

secured

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

sensation

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

session

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

shore

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

starboard

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

From this reading Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.

STARTLING

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

From this reading A STARTLING EVENT ON THE ROAD.

steamer

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

Sylph

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A STARTLING EVENT ON THE ROAD.

there

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Before the steamer lost her headway, her starboard quarter-boat was dropping into the water.

water

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

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

water-side

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When the Sylph had secured a position between the Goldwing and the shore, so that the party on board of the latter could not escape, she stopped her screw, and backed until she rested motionless on the water.

whole

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

From this reading The appearance of the steamer so near the point created a sensation in the picnic-party, and the whole crowd on the shore hastened to the water-side.

yacht

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

From this reading The yacht was not heavily manned, as she was when the school was in session, and there were not hands enough on board for any brilliant manœuvres.