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Square and Compasses
Square and Compasses

Chapter XV

Chapter 15 of Square and Compasses is here in full — 104 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
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THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.
"What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.
This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.
"There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.
"There is some sort of a party up that little cove."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Square and Compasses

Chapter XV

Chapter 15 of Square and Compasses is here in full — 104 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.
/ðə ˈskɪpər ˈjuːsəz ə ˈnɔːtəkəl ˈlæsoʊ/
Line 2
"What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.
Line 3
This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.
/ðɪs ˈkwestʃən wɑːz kɔːld fɔːrθ baɪ wʌt ˈsaʊndɪd laɪk ə ˈvɑːli ʌv tʃɪrz frʌm ðə nuː jɔːrk saɪd ʌv ðə leɪk bʌt ˈnʌθɪŋ kʊd biː siːn tuː ˈɪndəkeɪt ðə sɔːrs frʌm wɪtʃ ðə nɔɪz keɪm/
Line 4
"There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.
/ðer ɪt ɪz əˈɡen ˈædəd dʒɑːn ˈbrætəl æz θriː dɪˈstɪŋkt tʃɪrz keɪm ˈoʊvər ðə weɪvz/
Line 5
"There is some sort of a party up that little cove."
/ðer ɪz sʌm sɔːrt ʌv ə ˈpɑːrti ʌp ðæt ˈlɪtəl koʊv/

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.

Brattle verb US /ˈbrætəl/

make a rattling sound

From this reading “"There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.”

cheers noun US /tʃɪrz/

plural of “cheer” — a cry or shout of approval

From this reading “This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.”

cove noun US /koʊv/

a small inlet

From this reading “"There is some sort of a party up that little cove."”

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 “"What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.”

indicate verb US /ˈɪndəkeɪt/

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading “This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.”

lasso noun US /ˈlæsoʊ/

Belgian composer (1532-1594)

From this reading “THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.”

nautical adjective US /ˈnɔːtəkəl/

relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen

From this reading “THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.”

volley noun US /ˈvɑːli/

rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms

From this reading “This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

some sort adjective + noun

In this reading “"There is some sort of a party up that little cove."”

called forth verb + particle counted as “call forth”

evoke or provoke to appear or occur

In this reading “This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.”

little cove adjective + noun

In this reading “"There is some sort of a party up that little cove."”

came over verb + particle counted as “come over”

communicate the intended meaning or impression

In this reading “"There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.”

All words in this reading · 63

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 SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past 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 "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

BrattleverbUS /ˈbrætəl/

make a rattling sound

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

cheersnounUS /tʃɪrz/

plural of “cheer” — a cry or shout of approval

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

covenounUS /koʊv/

a small inlet

From this reading "There is some sort of a party up that little cove."

decknounUS /dek/

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

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 "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

Duane

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

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/

at or to or toward the front

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

lakenounUS /leɪk/

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

LASSOnounUS /ˈlæsoʊ/

Belgian composer (1532-1594)

From this reading THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading "There is some sort of a party up that little cove."

NAUTICALadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːtəkəl/

relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen

From this reading THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

noisenounUS /nɔɪz/

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/

an organization to gain political power

From this reading "There is some sort of a party up that little cove."

questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

seenverbUS /siːn/

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

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

SKIPPERnounUS /ˈskɪpər/

a student who fails to attend classes

From this reading THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading "There is some sort of a party up that little cove."

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading "There is some sort of a party up that little cove."

soundedverbUS /ˈsaʊndɪd/

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

sourcenounUS /sɔːrs/

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading "There is some sort of a party up that little cove."

USESnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/

plural of “use” — the act of using

From this reading THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO.

volleynounUS /ˈvɑːli/

rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

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 "There it is again," added John Brattle, as three distinct cheers came over the waves.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

What's

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

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading "What's that?" called George Duane, while Dory was still busy on the forward deck.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading This question was called forth by what sounded like a volley of cheers from the New York side of the lake; but nothing could be seen to indicate the source from which the noise came.

Chapter 15 of Square and Compasses by Oliver Optic holds 104 sentences, grouped into 21 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 15 of Square and Compasses contain?

Chapter 15 holds 104 sentences of Square and Compasses, unabridged, divided into 21 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 15 of Square and Compasses by Oliver Optic exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 104 sentences, grouped into 21 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 15 of Square and Compasses?

Work through the 21 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 21 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 15 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 15 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 Square and Compasses

Common questions about reading Square and Compasses by Oliver Optic on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Square and Compasses?

Yes. All 3236 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #52351 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Square and Compasses is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #52351, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Square and Compasses take to read?

About 269 minutes of reading across 648 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Square and Compasses section by section

How to work through Square and Compasses section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of Square and Compasses 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 Square and Compasses

Words and structures a reader meets early in Square and Compasses, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Boat-builder
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Square and Compasses; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Square and Compasses; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Adrift
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Square and Compasses; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Goldwing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Square and Compasses; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.