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From the Earth to the Moon
From the Earth to the Moon

Chapter XII · The Fete of the Casting

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Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.
A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.
At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.
The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.
Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.
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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.

From the Earth to the Moon

Chapter XII · The Fete of the Casting

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.
Line 2
A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.
Line 3
At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.
Line 4
The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.
Line 5
Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

Learner Dictionary

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

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.”

Rapidity noun US /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading “During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.”

All words in this reading · 83

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

1,200

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

600

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

all

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

arranged

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

arriving

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

carried

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

casting

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

central

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

chimney

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

circularly

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

circumference

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

From this reading The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.

constructed

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

diameter

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

effect

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

eight

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

employed

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

excavation

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

extreme

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

feet

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

high

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

Hill

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

interval

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.

miles

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

From this reading The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.

months

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

most

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

occupied

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

From this reading The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

offered

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

other

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

ovens

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

plan

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

preparatory

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

presented

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

From this reading The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.

produced

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

quadrangular

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

reverberating

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

rose

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

separated

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

simultaneously

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

singular

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

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

six

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

spectacle

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

Stones

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

stranger

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Being all constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, they produced a most singular effect.

three

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

two

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

From this reading The circumference occupied by these 1,200 ovens presented a length of two miles.

view

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

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

well

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

work

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

works

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

From this reading During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously with extreme rapidity.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been surprised at the spectacle offered to his view.

yards

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

From this reading At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central point, rose 1,200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and separated from each other by an interval of three feet.