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The Bloodhounds of Zirth
The Bloodhounds of Zirth

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Bloodhounds of Zirth is here in full — 251 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/50 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.
The barriers were too steep.
The Zirthan guards too clever.
The mertha hounds too keen at trailing.
Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.
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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 Bloodhounds of Zirth

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Bloodhounds of Zirth is here in full — 251 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.
Line 2
The barriers were too steep.
/ðə ˈbæriərz wɜːr tuː stiːp/
Line 3
The Zirthan guards too clever.
Line 4
The mertha hounds too keen at trailing.
Line 5
Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

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.

barriers noun US /ˈbæriərz/

plural of “barrier” — a structure or object that impedes free movement

From this reading “The barriers were too steep.”

Earth's noun US /ɜːrθs/

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading “_No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.”

filing noun US /ˈfaɪlɪŋ/

the entering of a legal document into the public record

From this reading “Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.”

penal adjective US /ˈpiːnəl/

of or relating to punishment

From this reading “_No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.”

rap noun US /ræp/

a reproach for some lapse or misdeed

From this reading “Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.”

riffle verb US /ˈrɪfəl/

twitch or flutter

From this reading “Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.”

trailing noun US /ˈtreɪlɪŋ/

the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind

From this reading “The mertha hounds too keen at trailing.”

trusty noun US /ˈtrʌsti/

a convict who is considered trustworthy and granted special privileges

From this reading “Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.”

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.

too clever adverb + adjective

In this reading “The Zirthan guards too clever.”

All words in this reading · 56

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.

382

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

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

4

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

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The mertha hounds too keen at trailing.

awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

barriersnounUS /ˈbæriərz/

plural of “barrier” — a structure or object that impedes free movement

From this reading The barriers were too steep.

beatverbUS /biːt/

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

cardsnounUS /kɑːrdz/

a game played with playing cards

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

cleveradjectiveUS /ˈklevər/

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading The Zirthan guards too clever.

cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

couldn't

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

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

desknounUS /desk/

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

Earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading _No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.

escapedadjectiveUS /ɪˈskeɪpt/

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading _No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.

filingnounUS /ˈfaɪlɪŋ/

the entering of a legal document into the public record

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

freeverbUS /friː/

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading _No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.

graynounUS /ɡreɪ/

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

grimadjectiveUS /ɡrɪm/

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading _No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.

guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/

plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading The Zirthan guards too clever.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

houndsnounUS /haʊndz/

plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears

From this reading The mertha hounds too keen at trailing.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

keenadjectiveUS /kiːn/

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading The mertha hounds too keen at trailing.

mertha

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

From this reading The mertha hounds too keen at trailing.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading _No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.

OnlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

penaladjectiveUS /ˈpiːnəl/

of or relating to punishment

From this reading _No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.

rapnounUS /ræp/

a reproach for some lapse or misdeed

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

riffleverbUS /ˈrɪfəl/

twitch or flutter

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

starnounUS /stɑːr/

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading _No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.

steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/

having a sharp inclination

From this reading The barriers were too steep.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The barriers were too steep.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The barriers were too steep.

trailingnounUS /ˈtreɪlɪŋ/

the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind

From this reading The mertha hounds too keen at trailing.

trustynounUS /ˈtrʌsti/

a convict who is considered trustworthy and granted special privileges

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

WnounUS /ˈdʌbəljuː/

a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The barriers were too steep.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

wonnounUS /wʌn/

the basic unit of money in South Korea

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

Zadda

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

From this reading _No one escaped from Zadda, Earth's grim penal star.

Zirthan

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

From this reading The Zirthan guards too clever.

ZT

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

From this reading Only 4W382ZT won free--though he couldn't beat the awful rap._ There was silence in the grim room broken only by the riffle of filing cards from the corner where a trusty, in gray uniform, sat working at a small desk.

Chapter 1 of The Bloodhounds of Zirth by Lloyd Palmer holds 251 sentences, grouped into 51 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 1 of The Bloodhounds of Zirth contain?

Chapter 1 holds 251 sentences of The Bloodhounds of Zirth, unabridged, divided into 51 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Bloodhounds of Zirth by Lloyd Palmer exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 251 sentences, grouped into 51 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 1 of The Bloodhounds of Zirth?

Work through the 51 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 51 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 The Bloodhounds of Zirth

Common questions about reading The Bloodhounds of Zirth by Lloyd Palmer on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Bloodhounds of Zirth?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Bloodhounds of Zirth is used?

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

How long does The Bloodhounds of Zirth take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Bloodhounds of Zirth section by section

How to work through The Bloodhounds of Zirth section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of The Bloodhounds of Zirth 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 The Bloodhounds of Zirth

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Bloodhounds of Zirth, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of The Bloodhounds of Zirth, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of The Bloodhounds of Zirth, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of The Bloodhounds of Zirth, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.