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King Mombo
King Mombo

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of King Mombo is here in full — 52 sentences across 11 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for King Mombo
Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.
A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.
Regundo had gone for the day.
The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.
Feeling somewhat lonely, I left for the forest, armed with a gun.
0:00 / 0:00
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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.

King Mombo

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of King Mombo is here in full — 52 sentences across 11 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.
Line 2
A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.
/ə fjuː deɪz ˈæftər maɪ rɪˈtɜːrn frʌm ðə ɡərˈɪlə hʌnt aɪ faʊnd ˌmaɪˈself wʌn ˈmɔːrnɪŋ ɔːl əˈloʊn/
Line 3
Regundo had gone for the day.
Line 4
The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.
/ðə men wɜːr ˈkʌtɪŋ triːz fɔːr ə nuː ˌplænˈteɪʃən ðə ˈwɪmən wɜːr ˈwiːdɪŋ ðə fiːldz/
Line 5
Feeling somewhat lonely, I left for the forest, armed with a gun.
/ˈfiːlɪŋ ˈsʌmˈwʌt ˈloʊnli aɪ left fɔːr ðə ˈfɔːrəst ɑːrmd wɪð ə ɡʌn/

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.

ant noun US /ænt/

social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading “SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.”

attacked verb US /əˈtækt/

past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

From this reading “SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.”

cutting noun US /ˈkʌtɪŋ/

the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading “The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.”

fleeing verb US /ˈfliːɪŋ/

-ing form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading “SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.”

gorilla noun US /ɡərˈɪlə/

largest anthropoid ape; terrestrial and vegetarian; of forests of central west Africa

From this reading “A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.”

plantation noun US /ˌplænˈteɪʃən/

an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)

From this reading “The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.”

tormentors noun US /ˈtɔːrmentərz/

plural of “tormentor” — someone who torments

From this reading “SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.”

weeding verb US /ˈwiːdɪŋ/

-ing form of “weed” — clear of weeds

From this reading “The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

few days adjective + noun

In this reading “A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.”

AT ONCE preposition + adverb

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

In this reading “SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.”

return from verb + particle

In this reading “A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.”

IN THE FOREST preposition + article + noun counted as “in … forest”

In this reading “SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.”

All words in this reading · 58

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 SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

ALLadjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

ANIMALSnounUS /ˈænəməlz/

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

ANTnounUS /ænt/

social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

armedadjectiveUS /ɑːrmd/

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading Feeling somewhat lonely, I left for the forest, armed with a gun.

ARMYnounUS /ˈɑːrmi/

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

ATTACKEDverbUS /əˈtækt/

past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

BASHIKOUAY

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

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

cuttingnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/

the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Regundo had gone for the day.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

DIRECTIONnounUS /dərˈekʃən/

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

ESCAPEDadjectiveUS /ɪˈskeɪpt/

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

EVERYWHEREadverbUS /ˈevriwer/

to or in any or all places

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

FeelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Feeling somewhat lonely, I left for the forest, armed with a gun.

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 A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

fieldsnounUS /fiːldz/

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.

FLEEINGverbUS /ˈfliːɪŋ/

-ing form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Regundo had gone for the day.

FORESTnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading Regundo had gone for the day.

gorillanounUS /ɡərˈɪlə/

largest anthropoid ape; terrestrial and vegetarian; of forests of central west Africa

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

gunnounUS /ɡʌn/

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading Feeling somewhat lonely, I left for the forest, armed with a gun.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Regundo had gone for the day.

HOW

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

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

huntverbUS /hʌnt/

pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

KINDSnounUS /kaɪndz/

plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Feeling somewhat lonely, I left for the forest, armed with a gun.

lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Feeling somewhat lonely, I left for the forest, armed with a gun.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

ONCEadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

ONEpronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

plantationnounUS /ˌplænˈteɪʃən/

an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)

From this reading The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.

Regundo

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

From this reading Regundo had gone for the day.

returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading A few days after my return from the gorilla hunt I found myself one morning all alone.

SIGHTnounUS /saɪt/

an instance of visual perception

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

SINGULARadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/

unusual or striking

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Feeling somewhat lonely, I left for the forest, armed with a gun.

TERRIBLEadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

TORMENTORSnounUS /ˈtɔːrmentərz/

plural of “tormentor” — someone who torments

From this reading SINGULAR SIGHT IN THE FOREST—ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS FLEEING IN ONE DIRECTION—A TERRIBLE ANT—THE BASHIKOUAY ARMY—ATTACKED EVERYWHERE AT ONCE—HOW I ESCAPED THE TORMENTORS.

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 The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.

weedingverbUS /ˈwiːdɪŋ/

-ing form of “weed” — clear of weeds

From this reading The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Feeling somewhat lonely, I left for the forest, armed with a gun.

womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The men were cutting trees for a new plantation; the women were weeding the fields.

Chapter 16 of King Mombo by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu holds 52 sentences, grouped into 11 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 16 of King Mombo contain?

Chapter 16 holds 52 sentences of King Mombo, unabridged, divided into 11 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of King Mombo by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 52 sentences, grouped into 11 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 16 of King Mombo?

Work through the 11 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 11 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 King Mombo

Common questions about reading King Mombo by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of King Mombo?

Yes. All 2703 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #62710 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of King Mombo is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #62710, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does King Mombo take to read?

About 225 minutes of reading across 541 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read King Mombo section by section

How to work through King Mombo section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of King Mombo to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in King Mombo

Words and structures a reader meets early in King Mombo, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Departure
A word that appears in the opening chapter of King Mombo; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Slaves
A word that appears in the opening chapter of King Mombo; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Plantations
A word that appears in the opening chapter of King Mombo; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Arrival
A word that appears in the opening chapter of King Mombo; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.