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In the Carquinez Woods
In the Carquinez Woods

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of In the Carquinez Woods is here in full — 164 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

In the Carquinez Woods

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of In the Carquinez Woods is here in full — 164 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
Line 2
Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
/ˈiːvɪn wer ðə ˌɪnˈteɡrəti ʌv ɪts oʊn ˈsɪŋɡjələr ˈspiːʃiz wɑːz nɑːt ɪnˈtaɪərli prəˈzɜːrvd ɪt ədˈmɪtɪd noʊ ˌɪnˈfɪriər triːz/
Line 3
Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
Line 4
Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
Line 5
It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.
/ɪt wɑːz hiːr ðə ˈnuːli bɔːrn ˈsɪti ʌv ɪkˈselsiər stɪl ɪn ɪts ˈkreɪdəl hæd laɪk æn ˈɪnfənt ˈhɜːrkjəliːz ˈstræŋɡəld ðə ˈsɜːrpəntaɪn nɔːrθ fɔːrk ʌv ðə əˈmerəkən ˈrɪvər ənd tɜːrnd ɪts laɪf ˈkɜːrənt ˈɪntuː ðə ˈdɪtʃəz ənd fluːmz ʌv ðə ɪkˈselsiər maɪnz/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

diminishing adjective US /dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ/

becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so

From this reading “Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.”

ditches noun US /ˈdɪtʃəz/

plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth

From this reading “It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.”

Excelsior noun US /ɪkˈselsiər/

thin curly wood shavings used for packing or stuffing

From this reading “It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.”

flumes noun US /fluːmz/

plural of “flume” — a narrow gorge with a stream running through it

From this reading “It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.”

gateways noun US /ˈɡeɪtweɪz/

plural of “gateway” — an entrance that can be closed by a gate

From this reading “Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.”

serpentine adjective US /ˈsɜːrpəntaɪn/

resembling a serpent in form

From this reading “It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.”

skirted verb US /ˈskɜːrtɪd/

past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading “Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.”

trails noun US /treɪlz/

plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading “Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.”

All words in this reading · 97

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

admittedverbUS /ədˈmɪtɪd/

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

apartadverbUS /əˈpɑːrt/

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

bareadjectiveUS /ber/

completely unclothed

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/

brought into existence

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

Carquinez

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

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

ConsequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

cradlenounUS /ˈkreɪdəl/

a baby bed with sides and rockers

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

currentnounUS /ˈkɜːrənt/

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

dimadjectiveUS /dɪm/

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

diminishingadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ/

becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

ditchesnounUS /ˈdɪtʃəz/

plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

easternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

ExcelsiornounUS /ɪkˈselsiər/

thin curly wood shavings used for packing or stuffing

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

flumesnounUS /fluːmz/

plural of “flume” — a narrow gorge with a stream running through it

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

forestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

ForknounUS /fɔːrk/

cutlery used for serving and eating food

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/

the outside boundary or surface of something

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

gatewaysnounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪz/

plural of “gateway” — an entrance that can be closed by a gate

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/

prudent

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

HerculesnounUS /ˈhɜːrkjəliːz/

(classical mythology) a hero noted for his strength; performed 12 immense labors to gain immortality

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/

a major road for any form of motor transport

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

individualitynounUS /ˌɪndɪvɪdʒuːˈælɪti/

the quality of being individual

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

inferioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/

of or characteristic of low rank or importance

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

integritynounUS /ˌɪnˈteɡrəti/

an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

leaguenounUS /liːɡ/

an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

lesseradjectiveUS /ˈlesər/

of less size or importance

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

minesnounUS /maɪnz/

plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/

abnormally large

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/

very recently

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

NorthnounUS /nɔːrθ/

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/

outlying areas (as of a city or town)

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

peculiaritynounUS /pɪˌkjuːliˈerəti/

an odd or unusual characteristic

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/

prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

ranksnounUS /ræŋks/

plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

rednounUS /red/

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

refreshedadjectiveUS /riˈfreʃt/

with restored energy

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/

plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

serpentineadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrpəntaɪn/

resembling a serpent in form

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

serriedadjective

(especially of rows as of troops or mountains) pressed together

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

shadeless

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

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

singularadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/

unusual or striking

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/

past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

slippedverbUS /slɪpt/

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

strangledadjectiveUS /ˈstræŋɡəld/

held in check with difficulty

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

sycamores

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

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

trailsnounUS /treɪlz/

plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/

moved around an axis or center

From this reading It was here the newly born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior mines.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

valleynounUS /ˈvæli/

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

wateredadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːtərd/

(of silk fabric) having a wavelike pattern

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.

willowsnounUS /ˈwɪloʊz/

plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix

From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.

WoodnounUS /wʊd/

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.

Chapter 2 of In the Carquinez Woods by Bret Harte holds 164 sentences, grouped into 33 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of In the Carquinez Woods contain?

Chapter 2 holds 164 sentences of In the Carquinez Woods, unabridged, divided into 33 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of In the Carquinez Woods by Bret Harte exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 164 sentences, grouped into 33 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of In the Carquinez Woods?

Work through the 33 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 33 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading In the Carquinez Woods

Common questions about reading In the Carquinez Woods by Bret Harte on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of In the Carquinez Woods?

Yes. All 2278 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2310 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of In the Carquinez Woods is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2310, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does In the Carquinez Woods take to read?

About 189 minutes of reading across 456 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read In the Carquinez Woods section by section

How to work through In the Carquinez Woods section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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Vocabulary met early in In the Carquinez Woods

Words and structures a reader meets early in In the Carquinez Woods, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Going
A word that appears in the opening chapter of In the Carquinez Woods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Carquinez
A word that appears in the opening chapter of In the Carquinez Woods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Woods
A word that appears in the opening chapter of In the Carquinez Woods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shafts
A word that appears in the opening chapter of In the Carquinez Woods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.