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The After House
The After House

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for The After House
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.
Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.
Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.
The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.
Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.
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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.

The After House

Chapter XV

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.
Line 2
Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.
Line 3
Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.
Line 4
The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.
Line 5
Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.”

Distress noun US /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading “Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.”

Sail noun US /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

Action

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

all

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

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

August

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

better

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

broke

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

came

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

canvas

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

day

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

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

deck

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

dejected

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

disheartened

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

drops

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

give

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

glaring

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

got

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

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

heat

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

heavily

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

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

heavy

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

HOLD

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

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

hung

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

jolly-boat

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

KNOCKING

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

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

Late

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

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

like

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

live

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

more

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

out

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

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

pitiless

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

rained

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

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

response

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

rode

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

sailnounUS /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

signal

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

sodden

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

some

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

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

splashed

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

state

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

suited

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

sun

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A KNOCKING IN THE HOLD It rained heavily all that day.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

too

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

top

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

trim

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

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

tugged

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

turned

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

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

up

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

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.

weather

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

wet

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

From this reading Our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it.

white

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

From this reading Action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless August sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail.