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Amos Judd
Amos Judd

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Amos Judd
Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.
He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.
During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.
But that solace was denied him.
The more he thought the less he knew.
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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.

Amos Judd

Chapter IV

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.
Line 2
He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.
Line 3
During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.
Line 4
But that solace was denied him.
Line 5
The more he thought the less he knew.

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.”

Journey noun US /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading “As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.”

Mechanically noun US /ˈmechanically/

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

From this reading “During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The more he thought the less he knew.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

active

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

arrive

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

based

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

brain

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

business

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

Common

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

common-sense

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

continuing

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

denied

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

From this reading But that solace was denied him.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

effort

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

erratic

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

force

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

gentle

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

hand

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

hold

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

home

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

hostile

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

impelled

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

knew

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

From this reading The more he thought the less he knew.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

less

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

From this reading The more he thought the less he knew.

like

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

made

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

mechanically

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

minutes

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

more

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

From this reading The more he thought the less he knew.

much

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

nervously

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

now

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

off

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

purpose

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

quietly

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

realized

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

relaxed

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

resistance

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

resolve

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

science

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

seemingly

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

sensible

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

servant

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

sidewalk

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

solace

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

From this reading But that solace was denied him.

solution

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

some

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

started

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

stronger

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The more he thought the less he knew.

three

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

treacherous

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

From this reading As he made this resolve his left hand, like a treacherous servant, quietly relaxed its hold and he started off, not toward his home, but forward, continuing his journey.

useless

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

walked

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

From this reading During the next three minutes, as he walked mechanically along the sidewalk by the Common, his brain was nervously active in an effort to arrive at some solution of this erratic business; some sensible solution that was based either on science or on common-sense.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He now realized that the force which impelled him, although gentle and seemingly not hostile in purpose, was so much stronger than himself that resistance was useless.