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For Jacinta
For Jacinta

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for For Jacinta
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.
The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.
The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.
He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.
Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

For Jacinta

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.
Line 2
The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.
Line 3
The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.
Line 4
He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.
Line 5
Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.”

Running noun US /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading “The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.”

All words in this reading · 100

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 ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

aching

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

all

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

artistic

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

Austin

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

big

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

centrifugal

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

chanting

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

content

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

creek

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

deep

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

due

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

ELUSIVE

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

ends

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

exultation

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

falling

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

fancies

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

fanciful

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

GUM

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

held

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

hours

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

humming

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

indulged

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

knowledge

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

limbs

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

listening

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

man

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

merrily

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

moment

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

more

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

most

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

night

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

now

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

odds

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

once

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

practical

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

pulsatory

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

pump

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

ran

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

rang

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

rattling

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

reality

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

recognised

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

respects

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

sense

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

shrewd

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

sigh

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

small

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

smile

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

song

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

splash

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

steady

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

StillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

stretched

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

stridently

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

subjection

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

swamps

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

table

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

temperament

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

then

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

there

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

thrill

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

times

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

triumph

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

vaguely

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

From this reading Still, there were times when he vaguely recognised that there might, after all, be a reality behind the fancies he now and then indulged in with a smile, and that night it seemed to him that the big centrifugal pump was chanting a song of triumph.

wakened

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

water

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

well

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

From this reading The pump was running well, for he could hear the steady splash of water falling into the creek, and once more a little thrill of exultation ran through him.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The odds and ends on the table beside him were rattling merrily, and a deep pulsatory humming rang stridently through the silence of the swamps.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading ELUSIVE GUM It was in the small hours when Austin wakened, and, listening a moment, stretched his aching limbs with a little sigh of content.

world

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

From this reading He was not in most respects a fanciful man, for in him the artistic temperament was held in due subjection by a knowledge of the world and shrewd practical sense.