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Jack Sheppard: A Romance
Jack Sheppard: A Romance

Chapter XXX

Cover illustration for Jack Sheppard: A Romance
Context Illustration Reading 1/12 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Iron Bar.
Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.
This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.
He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.
Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.
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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.

Jack Sheppard: A Romance

Chapter XXX

Reading 1/12 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Iron Bar.
Line 2
Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.
Line 3
This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.
Line 4
He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.
Line 5
Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

Learner Dictionary

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

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.”

Free adjective US /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading “Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.”

Partly noun US /partly/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

able

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

accomplished

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

asunder

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

attached

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

Bar

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

From this reading The Iron Bar.

basils

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

central

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

chain

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

clanking

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

closely

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

connected

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

dexterous

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

drawing

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

exertions

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

far

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

fingers

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

firmly

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

fragments

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

freeadjectiveUS /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

future

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

gyves

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

handcuffs

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

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

heavy

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

holding

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

impeding

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

Iron

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

From this reading The Iron Bar.

Jack

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

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

jerk

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

legs

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

link

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

main

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

manacles

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

object

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

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

off

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

padlock

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

partly

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

possible

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

prevent

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

round

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

sapped

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

Sheppard's

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

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

squeezing

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

stockings

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

succeeded

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

Taking

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

teeth

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Iron Bar.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

then

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

tied

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

together

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.

twisted

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

up

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

From this reading Taking off his stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from clanking, and impeding his future exertions.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.

well-applied

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He next twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength, partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central link by which they were attached to the padlock.

wrists

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

From this reading This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles.