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Half Brothers
Half Brothers

Chapter XXVI

Cover illustration for Half Brothers
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AT BAY.
When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.
The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.
He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.
In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.
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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.

Half Brothers

Chapter XXVI

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AT BAY.
Line 2
When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.
Line 3
The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.
Line 4
He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.
Line 5
In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

Learner Dictionary

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

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.”

Cavern noun US /ˈkæv.ərn/

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading “In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

all

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

From this reading He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.

almost

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT BAY.

BAY

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

From this reading AT BAY.

beast

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.

boyhood

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

burning

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

captured

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

From this reading He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.

cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

chance

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

From this reading He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

enemies

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

escaped

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

familiar

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

feet

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

firm

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

fled

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

ground

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

hide

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

hold

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

hovel

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

hunted

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

inaccessible

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

lair

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

ledges

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

like

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

Martino

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

naked

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

often

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

precipitous

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

quickly

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

From this reading He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.

refuge

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

rocks

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

stepping-stones

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

taken

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

vantage

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

From this reading The precipitous rocks had ledges and stepping-stones familiar to him, and his naked feet took firm hold on every point of vantage ground.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was quickly beyond all chance of being captured.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.

wild

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

From this reading When Martino escaped from the burning hovel, he fled like a wild beast hunted by enemies.

wolf

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

From this reading In his boyhood he had often taken refuge in an almost inaccessible cavern, which he had found for himself, and where he could hide like a wolf in its lair.