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Shavings: A Novel
Shavings: A Novel

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Shavings: A Novel is here in full — 654 sentences across 131 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Shavings: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/130 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.
The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.
Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.
"She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."
"I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.
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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.

Shavings: A Novel

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Shavings: A Novel is here in full — 654 sentences across 131 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/130 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.
Line 2
The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.
/ðə kɔːrs wɑːz ˈɔːlweɪz ɪn prəˈtektɪd ˈwɔːtər ˌɪnˈsaɪd ðə ˈaʊtər ˈbiːtʃəz ɔːr θruː ðə ˈneroʊ ˈtʃænəlz bɪˈtwiːn ðə sænd ˈaɪləndz ənd soʊ ðer wɜːr noʊ weɪvz tuː kənˈtend wɪð ənd noʊ ˈdeɪndʒər/
Line 3
Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.
Line 4
"She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."
Line 5
"I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

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.

beaches noun US /ˈbiːtʃəz/

plural of “beach” — an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading “The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.”

channels noun US /ˈtʃænəlz/

official routes of communication

From this reading “The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.”

chugged verb US /tʃʌɡd/

inflected form of “chug” — make a dull, explosive sound

From this reading “The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.”

clack verb US /klæk/

make a rattling sound

From this reading “"She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."”

contend verb US /kənˈtend/

maintain or assert

From this reading “The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.”

dory noun US /ˈdɔːri/

a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled

From this reading “The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.”

gasoline noun US /ˈɡæsəliːn/

a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines

From this reading “Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.”

philosophically adverb US /ˌfɪləˈsɑːfɪkəli/

in a philosophic manner

From this reading “"She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."”

All words in this reading · 105

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 The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

addingverbUS /ˈædɪŋ/

-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

afloatadjectiveUS /əˈfloʊt/

aimlessly drifting

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

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 "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

anyhowadverbUS /ˈenihaʊ/

used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

Araminta

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

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

Araminta's

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

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/

towards the shore from the water

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

Barbara

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

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

beachesnounUS /ˈbiːtʃəz/

plural of “beach” — an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

boughtverbUS /bɑːt/

inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

channelsnounUS /ˈtʃænəlz/

official routes of communication

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

chuggedverbUS /tʃʌɡd/

inflected form of “chug” — make a dull, explosive sound

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

clackverbUS /klæk/

make a rattling sound

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

contendverbUS /kənˈtend/

maintain or assert

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

declaredadjectiveUS /dɪˈklerd/

made known or openly avowed

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

didn't

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

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

dorynounUS /ˈdɔːri/

a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/

plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

explainedverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnd/

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

folksnounUS /foʊks/

your parents

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

gasolinenounUS /ˈɡæsəliːn/

a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/

manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

informedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrmd/

having much knowledge or education

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

insideadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

islandsnounUS /ˈaɪləndz/

plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

Jed

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

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

neednounUS /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/

moving to a position on a surface

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

passengernounUS /ˈpæsəndʒər/

a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

Perez's

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

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

philosophicallyadverbUS /ˌfɪləˈsɑːfɪkəli/

in a philosophic manner

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

pickedverbUS /pɪkt/

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/

kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

runsnounUS /rʌnz/

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

sandnounUS /sænd/

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

she'll

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

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

steadilyadverbUS /ˈstedəli/

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

swiftlyadverbUS /ˈswɪftli/

in a swift manner

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

that's

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

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

tonguenounUS /tʌŋ/

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/

plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading "She runs just like some folks' tongues; just get her started and she'll clack along all day," he observed, adding philosophically, "and that's a good thing--in an engine."

UnclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/

characterized by variety

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

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 The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

wavesnounUS /weɪvz/

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading The "Araminta," which was the name of Captain Perez's power dory--a name, so the captain invariably explained, "wished onto her" before he bought her--chugged along steadily if not swiftly.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The course was always in protected water, inside the outer beaches or through the narrow channels between the sand islands, and so there were no waves to contend with and no danger.

workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading Jed, in the course of his varied experience afloat and ashore, had picked up a working knowledge of gasoline engines and, anyhow, as he informed his small passenger, the "Araminta's" engine didn't need any expert handling.

you're

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

From this reading "I know whose tongue you're thinking about, Uncle Jed," declared Barbara.

Chapter 9 of Shavings: A Novel by Joseph Crosby Lincoln holds 654 sentences, grouped into 131 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 9 of Shavings: A Novel contain?

Chapter 9 holds 654 sentences of Shavings: A Novel, unabridged, divided into 131 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of Shavings: A Novel by Joseph Crosby Lincoln exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 654 sentences, grouped into 131 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 9 of Shavings: A Novel?

Work through the 131 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 131 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 Shavings: A Novel

Common questions about reading Shavings: A Novel by Joseph Crosby Lincoln on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Shavings: A Novel?

Yes. All 10043 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2452 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Shavings: A Novel is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2452, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Shavings: A Novel take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2009 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Shavings: A Novel section by section

How to work through Shavings: A Novel section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of Shavings: A Novel 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 Shavings: A Novel

Words and structures a reader meets early in Shavings: A Novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Gabriel
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Shavings: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bearse
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Shavings: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Happy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Shavings: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Prominence
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Shavings: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.