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Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated
Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated is here in full — 397 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.
If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.
If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.
Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.
Here Michel said, You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated is here in full — 397 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.
Line 2
If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.
Line 3
If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.
Line 4
Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.
/ðʌs ðeɪ keɪm ɪn hæf ðə taɪm ðeɪ ˈdʒenərəli ˈɑːkjəpaɪd tuː kəˈloʊn ɑːn ðə raɪn wer ðeɪ ˈfɔːrmərli juːzd tuː sel ðer ˈtɪmbər/
Line 5
Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

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.

aground adjective US /əˈɡraʊnd/

stuck in a place where a ship can no longer float

From this reading “If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.”

Cologne noun US /kəˈloʊn/

a commercial center and river port in western Germany on the Rhine River; flourished during the 15th century as a member of the Hanseatic League

From this reading “Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.”

dart verb US /dɑːrt/

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading “If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.”

float verb US /floʊt/

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading ““The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.”

foremost adjective US /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/

ranking above all others

From this reading “If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.”

merchants noun US /ˈmɜːrtʃənts/

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading “Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.”

poles noun US /poʊlz/

plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading “If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.”

Rhine noun US /raɪn/

United States parapsychologist (1895-1980)

From this reading “Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.”

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.

glided past verb + noun counted as “glide past”

In this reading “If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.”

formerly used adverb + adjective

In this reading “Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.”

jumped into verb + particle counted as “jump into”

In this reading “If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.”

ran straight verb + adjective counted as “run straight”

In this reading “If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.”

like an arrow verb + article + noun counted as “like … arrow”

In this reading ““The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.”

into the water preposition + article + noun counted as “into … water”

In this reading “If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.”

put up verb + adjective

place so as to be noticed

In this reading “If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.”

dart along verb + particle

In this reading “If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.”

All words in this reading · 118

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 If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

advantagenounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒ/

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

agroundadjectiveUS /əˈɡraʊnd/

stuck in a place where a ship can no longer float

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

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 If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

arrownounUS /ˈæroʊ/

a mark to indicate a direction or relation

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

beamsnounUS /biːmz/

plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

ColognenounUS /kəˈloʊn/

a commercial center and river port in western Germany on the Rhine River; flourished during the 15th century as a member of the Hanseatic League

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

dartverbUS /dɑːrt/

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

dartedverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪd/

past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

difficultynounUS /ˈdɪfəkəlti/

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

enormousadjectiveUS /ɪˈnɔːrməs/

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

floatverbUS /floʊt/

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

flyingadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/

moving swiftly

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/

ranking above all others

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/

at a previous time

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

generallyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəli/

usually; as a rule

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

HereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

immenseadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmens/

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

jumpedverbUS /dʒʌmpt/

past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/

conformity or harmony

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

landnounUS /lænd/

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

merchantsnounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃənts/

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

Michel

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

Neckarnoun

a river in Germany; rises in the Black Forest and flows north into the Rhine

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/

held or filled or in use

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

pastnounUS /pæst/

the time that has elapsed

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

perfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

polenounUS /poʊl/

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

polesnounUS /poʊlz/

plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

pushverbUS /pʊʃ/

move with force

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

putverbUS /pʊt/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

raftnounUS /ræft/

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

raftsmen

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

ranverbUS /ræn/

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

RhinenounUS /raɪn/

United States parapsychologist (1895-1980)

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

sandnounUS /sænd/

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

sellverbUS /sel/

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

sprangverbUS /spræŋ/

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/

successive (without a break)

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

streamnounUS /striːm/

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

ThusadverbUS /ðʌs/

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

turnverbUS /tɜːrn/

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Thus they came in half the time they generally occupied to Cologne on the Rhine, where they formerly used to sell their timber.

villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/

plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading If they came to a part where the river ran straight, Michel often sprang to the foremost raft, and making all put up their poles, fixed his own enormous pole in the sand, and by one push made the float dart along, so that it seemed as if the land, trees, and villages were flying by them.

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 If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading If the river took a turn, or if they came to any part where they had a difficulty in keeping the middle stream or were in danger of running aground, Michel always jumped into the water, pushing his float either to the right or to the left, so that he glided past without danger.

wood-cutters

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

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “The float started; and if Michel had before astonished the wood-cutters, he perfectly astonished the raftsmen; for his raft, instead of drifting slowly down the river as they thought it would, by reason of the immense beams, darted on like an arrow, as soon as they came into the Neckar.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Here Michel said, ‘You are but sorry merchants and know nothing of your advantage.

Chapter 4 of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated by John [Translator] Oxenford holds 397 sentences, grouped into 80 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 4 of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated contain?

Chapter 4 holds 397 sentences of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated by John [Translator] Oxenford exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 397 sentences, grouped into 80 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 4 of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated?

Work through the 80 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 80 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated

Common questions about reading Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated by John [Translator] Oxenford on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated?

Yes. All 9431 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #32046 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #32046, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1887 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated section by section

How to work through Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated 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 Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Specimens
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Celebrated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Authors
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Oxenford
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales from the German, Comprising Specimens from the Most Celebrated; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.