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Square and Compasses
Square and Compasses

Chapter XII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.
Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.
He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.
With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.
Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.
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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.

Square and Compasses

Chapter XII

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.
Line 2
Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.
Line 3
He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.
Line 4
With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.
Line 5
Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

Learner Dictionary

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

ASTONISHED adjective US /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading “TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.”

HAS auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.”

Quarrel noun US /ˈkwɔːrəl/

an angry argument or disagreement

From this reading “He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.”

Whenever conjunction US /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading “He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.”

Wondered noun US /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

afraid

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

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

answer

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

ask

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

ASTONISHEDadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.

BEauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

boats

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

bully

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

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

called

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

character

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

circumstances

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

declared

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

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

disagreeable

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

Dornwood

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

Dory

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

exploits

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

fellow

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

fight

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

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

fighting

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

Genverres

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

greatest

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

handful

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

made

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

manner

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

marauding

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

men

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

more

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

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

permission

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

policeman

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

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

proved

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

quarrelnounUS /ˈkwɔːrəl/

an angry argument or disagreement

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

REASON

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

From this reading TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.

reputation

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

respectful

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

several

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

some

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

stout

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

tackle

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

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

taken

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

there

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

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.

TOM

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

From this reading TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.

TOPOVER

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

From this reading TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED.

trouble

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

use

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

very

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

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.

village

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

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He made a quarrel whenever he could, and he had proved a handful to several men who had been called upon to tackle him in some of his marauding exploits.

wiry

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

From this reading Tom Topover was a stout and wiry fellow, and he had the reputation of being the greatest fighting character in Genverres.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading With this reputation he was afraid of no one though a village policeman declared that there was more bully than fight in him.

wonderednounUS /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Dory Dornwood wondered that Tom had taken the trouble to ask permission to use the boats; but as he had done so, and done it in a respectful manner, it was his duty to answer him; and the circumstances made it a very disagreeable duty.