Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin
Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin is here in full — 444 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin
Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.
Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.
When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.
The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.
The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin is here in full — 444 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.
Line 2
Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.
Line 3
When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.
Line 4
The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.
Line 5
The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.
/ðə ˈɡreɪtəst ˈpreʃər ˈɪnwərd mʌst biː æt ðə ˈloʊər end ðə ˈɡreɪtəst weɪt ʌv ðə sərˈaʊndɪŋ ˈætməsfɪr ˈbiːɪŋ ðer/

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.

acquires verb US /əˈkwaɪərz/

third-person singular of “acquire” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.”

axis noun US /ˈæksəs/

a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions

From this reading “The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.”

centrifugal adjective US /ˈsentrɪfjuːɡəl/

tending to move away from a center

From this reading “Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.”

fluids noun US /ˈfluːədz/

plural of “fluid” — a substance that is fluid at room temperature and pressure

From this reading “Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.”

funnel noun US /ˈfʌnəl/

a conical shape with a wider and a narrower opening at the two ends

From this reading “Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.”

lessening noun US /ˈlesənɪŋ/

a change downward

From this reading “Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.”

vacuum noun US /ˈvækjuːm/

the absence of matter

whirlpools noun US /ˈwɜːrlpuːlz/

plural of “whirlpool” — a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)

From this reading “Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.”

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.

lower end verb + noun

In this reading “The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.”

on the ground preposition + article + noun counted as “on … ground”

In this reading “Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.”

in the middle preposition + article + noun counted as “in … middle”

In this reading “Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.”

some places adjective + noun counted as “some place”

In this reading “When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.”

All words in this reading · 98

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 Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

acquiresverbUS /əˈkwaɪərz/

third-person singular of “acquire” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

acquiringnounUS /əˈkwaɪrɪŋ/

the act of acquiring something

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

AirnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

archnounUS /ɑːrtʃ/

a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/

moving or going or growing upward

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

atmospherenounUS /ˈætməsfɪr/

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.

axisnounUS /ˈæksəs/

a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

cannot

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

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

centrenounUS /ˈsentər/

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

centrifugaladjectiveUS /ˈsentrɪfjuːɡəl/

tending to move away from a center

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/

having the shape or form of a circle

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/

coming down or downward

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

descendsverbUS /dɪˈsendz/

third-person singular of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

eddiesnounUS /ˈediz/

plural of “eddy” — founder of Christian Science in 1866 (1821-1910)

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

endsnounUS /endz/

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

fluidsnounUS /ˈfluːədz/

plural of “fluid” — a substance that is fluid at room temperature and pressure

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

forcenounUS /fɔːrs/

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

frequentlyadverbUS /ˈfriːkwəntli/

many times at short intervals

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

funnelnounUS /ˈfʌnəl/

a conical shape with a wider and a narrower opening at the two ends

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/

highest in quality

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

HeavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/

relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts

From this reading The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

kindsnounUS /kaɪndz/

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

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

leavesnounUS /liːvz/

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

lesseningnounUS /ˈlesənɪŋ/

a change downward

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

motionnounUS /ˈmoʊʃən/

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

others

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

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

partsnounUS /pɑːrts/

the local environment

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

pressverbUS /pres/

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/

the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)

From this reading The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.

preventingverbUS /prɪˈventɪŋ/

-ing form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

recedingnounUS /rɪˈsiːdɪŋ/

a slow or gradual disappearance

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

riseverbUS /raɪz/

move upward

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

sidesnounUS /saɪdz/

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

speaking-trumpet

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

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/

having a supporting base

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/

closely encircling

From this reading The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

trumpetverbUS /ˈtrʌmpət/

proclaim on, or as if on, a trumpet

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/

directed up

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

vacancynounUS /ˈveɪkənsi/

being unoccupied

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

vacuumnounUS /ˈvækjuːm/

the absence of matter

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

violencenounUS /ˈvaɪələns/

an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

weightnounUS /weɪt/

the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity

From this reading The greatest pressure inward must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/

the act of rotating in a circle or spiral

From this reading The air, in its whirling motion, receding every way from the centre or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a _vacuum_, which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.

whirlings

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

From this reading Air, descending or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above and lessening downward; if ascending, greatest below and lessening upward; like a speaking-trumpet standing its big end on the ground.

whirlpoolsnounUS /ˈwɜːrlpuːlz/

plural of “whirlpool” — a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)

From this reading Heavy fluids, descending, frequently form eddies or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a centre, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downward, like a speaking-trumpet, its big end upward.

whirlwinds

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

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When the air descends with a violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.

Chapter 7 of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin holds 444 sentences, grouped into 89 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 7 of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin contain?

Chapter 7 holds 444 sentences of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin, unabridged, divided into 89 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 444 sentences, grouped into 89 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 7 of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin?

Work through the 89 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 89 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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin

Common questions about reading Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin?

Yes. All 2985 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #40236 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #40236, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin take to read?

About 248 minutes of reading across 597 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin section by section

How to work through Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 7 chapters of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin 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 Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin

Words and structures a reader meets early in Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Written
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Himself
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Interesting
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Essays
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.