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Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard
Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard
Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”
A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.
The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.
Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.
It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”
Line 2
A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.
Line 3
The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.
Line 4
Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.
Line 5
It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.”

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.”

Nobody pronoun US /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading ““Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.””

Strangely noun US /ˈstrangely/

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

From this reading “It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.”

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

black

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

From this reading The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.

boat

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

From this reading A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.

boat-compass

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”

cheek

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

clouds

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

From this reading The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

crushed

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

Decoud

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

From this reading “Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”

dense

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

embraced

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

From this reading A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.

experience

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

feel

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

find

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

From this reading “Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

get

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

glimpse

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.

gulf

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

From this reading The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

lighter

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

matches

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

mysteriousness

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

new

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

night

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading “Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”

Nostromo

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

now

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

From this reading “Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”

obscurity

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

From this reading A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

out

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

recrudescence

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

From this reading A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.

restlessness

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

said

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

From this reading “Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”

sea

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

From this reading The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.

smooth

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

spread

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

steered

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

striking

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A great recrudescence of obscurity embraced the boat.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The sea in the gulf was as black as the clouds above.

waters

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

weight

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

From this reading It was a new experience for Decoud, this mysteriousness of the great waters spread out strangely smooth, as if their restlessness had been crushed by the weight of that dense night.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nostromo, after striking a couple of matches to get a glimpse of the boat-compass he had with him in the lighter, steered by the feel of the wind on his cheek.

Yes

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

From this reading “Yes,” said Decoud; “nobody can find us now.”