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Dead Man's Rock
Dead Man's Rock

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Dead Man's Rock
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.
Tom was dying.
His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.
The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.
He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.
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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.

Dead Man's Rock

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.
Line 2
Tom was dying.
Line 3
His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.
Line 4
The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.
Line 5
He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.”

WENT noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

bed

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

bleeding

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

blow

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

boyish

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

CLAIRE

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

CLASP

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

cowardly

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

depositions

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

dying

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

From this reading Tom was dying.

face

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

faced

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

failing

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

fate

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

few

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

friend

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

given

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

GOLDEN

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

hand

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

heart

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

hope

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

HOW

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

inch

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

inward

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

judgment

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

killing

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

knew

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

knife

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

lying

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

missed

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

more

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

mystery

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

old

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

PLAY

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

pluck

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

questions

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

reason

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

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

SAW

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

SHEpronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

signed

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

struggle

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

supreme

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

surgeon

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

taken

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

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

TELLS

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

there

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

From this reading The knife had missed his heart by little more than an inch, but the inward bleeding was killing him and there was no hope.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He knew it, and though the reason of that cowardly blow was a mystery to him, he asked few questions, but faced his fate with the old boyish pluck.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

Tom

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

From this reading Tom was dying.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Tom was dying.

WENTnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading TELLS HOW CLAIRE WENT TO THE PLAY; AND HOW SHE SAW THE GOLDEN CLASP.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading His depositions had been taken and signed with his failing hand; the surgeon had given his judgment, and my friend was lying upon his bed, face to face with the supreme struggle.