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Pee-Wee Harris Adrift
Pee-Wee Harris Adrift

Chapter XXII

Cover illustration for Pee-Wee Harris Adrift
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.
The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.
You don't have to wear glasses to see that.
That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.
This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Pee-Wee Harris Adrift

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.
Line 2
The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.
Line 3
You don't have to wear glasses to see that.
Line 4
That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.
Line 5
This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

Learner Dictionary

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

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.”

GLARE noun US /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “You don't have to wear glasses to see that.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

banks

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

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

bed

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

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

benefit

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

bottom

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

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

centuries

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

confines

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

don't

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

From this reading You don't have to wear glasses to see that.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

especially

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

faster

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

flows

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

funny

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

GLAREnounUS /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

glasses

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

From this reading You don't have to wear glasses to see that.

Harris

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You don't have to wear glasses to see that.

hour

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

many

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

most

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

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

narrower

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

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

nature

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

Now

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

ordered

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

Pee-wee

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

policy

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

recedes

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

recession

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

river

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

runs

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

SEARCH-LIGHT

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

see

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

From this reading You don't have to wear glasses to see that.

settled

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

sloping

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

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

small

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

suburban

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading You don't have to wear glasses to see that.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

tide

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

From this reading IN THE GLARE OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT Now the tide is a funny thing, especially in a small suburban river.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading You don't have to wear glasses to see that.

top

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

From this reading The banks of a river being for the most part sloping, the river bed is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

two

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading This has been the settled policy of nature for many centuries, and it was so ordered for the benefit of Pee-wee Harris.

wear

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

From this reading You don't have to wear glasses to see that.

why

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

From this reading That is why the tide, as it recedes, runs faster and faster; because during the last hour or two of its recession it flows in narrower confines.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You don't have to wear glasses to see that.