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Five Tales
Five Tales

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for Five Tales
Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.
Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.
A thicker attendance than he had ever seen!
Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.
And his tongue curled.
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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.

Five Tales

Chapter XI

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.
Line 2
Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.
Line 3
A thicker attendance than he had ever seen!
Line 4
Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.
Line 5
And his tongue curled.

Learner Dictionary

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

Divided noun US /ˈdivided/

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

From this reading “II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A thicker attendance than he had ever seen!”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.”

Nodded noun US /nodded/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.”

Tongue noun US /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And his tongue curled.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

attendance

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

From this reading A thicker attendance than he had ever seen!

business

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

From this reading Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.

came

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

chairs

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

Company

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

congregation

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

contemplating

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

curled

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

From this reading And his tongue curled.

directors

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

dividednounUS /ˈdivided/

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

dividend

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

From this reading Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.

door

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

doubt

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

From this reading Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.

Due

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

From this reading Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.

empty

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A thicker attendance than he had ever seen!

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

full

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

general

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A thicker attendance than he had ever seen!

hand

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

held

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading And his tongue curled.

hotel

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

II

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

ink

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

Island

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

lower

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

From this reading Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.

meetings

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

Navigation

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

nearly

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.

noddednounUS /nodded/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

papers

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

Pillin

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

From this reading Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.

room

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

secretary

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

seen

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

From this reading A thicker attendance than he had ever seen!

shareholder

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

shareholders

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

surveyed

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A thicker attendance than he had ever seen!

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

thicker

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

From this reading A thicker attendance than he had ever seen!

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Due, no doubt, to the lower dividend, and this Pillin business.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

tonguenounUS /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And his tongue curled.

two

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

watch

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

From this reading Having surveyed their empty chairs, their ink and papers, and nodded to a shareholder or two, he stood, watch in hand, contemplating the congregation.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading II The room in the hotel where the general meetings of “The Island Navigation Company” were held was nearly full when the secretary came through the door which as yet divided the shareholders from their directors.