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Jonah's Luck
Jonah's Luck

Chapter II · A Recognition

Cover illustration for Jonah's Luck
Context Illustration Reading 1/58 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.
But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.
His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.
He could not comprehend how the razor and the blood-stains came to be there.
Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.
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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.

Jonah's Luck

Chapter II · A Recognition

Reading 1/58 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.
Line 2
But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.
Line 3
His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.
Line 4
He could not comprehend how the razor and the blood-stains came to be there.
Line 5
Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.”

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.”

Grasp noun US /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading “Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.”

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.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

also

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.

anxious

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

arm

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

avoid

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He could not comprehend how the razor and the blood-stains came to be there.

bed

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

bed-quilt

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

From this reading His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

blood-stained

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

blood-stains

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

From this reading He could not comprehend how the razor and the blood-stains came to be there.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

came

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

From this reading He could not comprehend how the razor and the blood-stains came to be there.

clean

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

From this reading His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.

closed

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

From this reading His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.

comprehend

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

From this reading He could not comprehend how the razor and the blood-stains came to be there.

contact

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

dazed

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

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

door

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

From this reading His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

flung

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

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

graspnounUS /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

HalfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

Herries

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

how

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

From this reading He could not comprehend how the razor and the blood-stains came to be there.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

meaning

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

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

moment

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

only

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

other

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

razor

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

shirt

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

smeared

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

smooth

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

From this reading His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.

sprang

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

startled

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

there

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

From this reading He could not comprehend how the razor and the blood-stains came to be there.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

things

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

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.

unable

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

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.

wear

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

weird

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

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His hands were clean, the bed-quilt was smooth, and the door closed.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading But blood also smeared the right arm of his shirt, which he could not part with, as he had no other to wear.

window

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

From this reading Half dazed and unable to grasp the meaning of these weird things, he flung open the window.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading After that first startled look, Herries sprang from the bed, anxious only, for the moment, to avoid contact with that blood-stained razor.