The Boys' and Girls' Pliny

Chapter XII

Chapter 12 of The Boys' and Girls' Pliny is here in full — 40 sentences across 8 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By the Elder, 24?-79 Pliny • Curated US English Learning Edition

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THE HYÆNA.

The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

Many wonderful things are also related of this animal; and strangest of all, that it imitates the human voice among the stalls of the shepherds; and while there, learns the name of some one of them, and then calls him away, and devours him.

It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

Narrator

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XII Reading 1/8

The Boys' and Girls' Pliny the Elder, 24?-79 Pliny

Chapter XII

Chapter 12 of The Boys' and Girls' Pliny is here in full — 40 sentences across 8 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

THE HYÆNA. The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body. Many wonderful things are also related of this animal; and strangest of all, that it imitates the human voice among the stalls of the shepherds; and while there, learns the name of some one of them, and then calls him away, and devours him. It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them. It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

The Boys' and Girls' Pliny

Chapter XII

Chapter 12 of The Boys' and Girls' Pliny is here in full — 40 sentences across 8 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/8 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

THE HYÆNA.

Line 2

The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

Line 3

/ˈmeni ˈwʌndərfəl θɪŋz ɑːr ˈɔːlsoʊ rɪˈleɪtɪd ʌv ðɪs ˈænəməl ənd ˈstreɪndʒɪst ʌv ɔːl ðæt ɪt ˈɪməteɪts ðə ˈhjuːmən vɔɪs əˈmʌŋ ðə stɔːlz ʌv ðə ˈʃepərdz ənd waɪl ðer lɜːrnz ðə neɪm ʌv sʌm wʌn ʌv ðem ənd ðen kɔːlz hɪm əˈweɪ ənd dɪˈvaʊərz hɪm/

Line 4

It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

/ɪt ɪz sed ˈɔːlsoʊ ðæt ɪt kæn ˈɪməteɪt ə mæn ˈvɑːmətɪŋ ənd ðæt ɪn ðɪs weɪ ɪt əˈtrækts ðə dɑːɡz ənd ðen fɔːlz əˈpɑːn ðem/

Line 5

It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

/ɪt ɪz ðə ˈoʊnli ˈænəməl ðæt dɪɡz ʌp ɡreɪvz ɪn ˈɔːrdər tuː əbˈteɪn ðə ˈbɑːdiz ʌv ðə ded/

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.

attracts verb US /əˈtrækts/

third-person singular of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading “It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.”

continuously adverb US /kənˈtɪnjuːəsli/

at every point

From this reading “The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.”

devours verb US /dɪˈvaʊərz/

third-person singular of “devour” — destroy completely

From this reading “Many wonderful things are also related of this animal; and strangest of all, that it imitates the human voice among the stalls of the shepherds; and while there, learns the name of some one of them, and then calls him away, and devours him.”

digs noun US /dɪɡz/

an excavation for ore or precious stones or for archaeology

From this reading “It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.”

imitates verb US /ˈɪməteɪts/

third-person singular of “imitate” — reproduce someone's behavior or looks

learns verb US /lɜːrnz/

third-person singular of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills

stalls noun US /stɔːlz/

a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

vomiting noun US /ˈvɑːmətɪŋ/

the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth

From this reading “It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.”

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.

turning round noun + noun

In this reading “The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.”

whole body adjective + noun

In this reading “The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.”

wonderful things adjective + noun

In this reading “Many wonderful things are also related of this animal; and strangest of all, that it imitates the human voice among the stalls of the shepherds; and while there, learns the name of some one of them, and then calls him away, and devours him.”

without turning preposition + noun

In this reading “The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.”

human voice adjective + noun

in order preposition + noun

in a state of proper readiness or preparation or arrangement

In this reading “It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.”

name of verb + particle

All words in this reading · 72

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 It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

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 Many wonderful things are also related of this animal; and strangest of all, that it imitates the human voice among the stalls of the shepherds; and while there, learns the name of some one of them, and then calls him away, and devours him.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

animalnounUS /ˈænəməl/

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

attractsverbUS /əˈtrækts/

third-person singular of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

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

back-bone

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

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

bendverbUS /bend/

form a curve

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

bodiesnounUS /ˈbɑːdiz/

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

callsnounUS /kɔːlz/

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

cannot

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

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

continuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəsli/

at every point

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

deadadjectiveUS /ded/

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

devoursverbUS /dɪˈvaʊərz/

third-person singular of “devour” — destroy completely

digsnounUS /dɪɡz/

an excavation for ore or precious stones or for archaeology

From this reading It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

dogsnounUS /dɑːɡz/

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

fallsnounUS /fɔːlz/

the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

gravesnounUS /ɡreɪvz/

English writer known for his interest in mythology and in the classics (1895-1985)

From this reading It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/

characteristic of humanity

HYÆNA

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

From this reading THE HYÆNA.

imitateverbUS /ˈɪməteɪt/

reproduce someone's behavior or looks

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

imitatesverbUS /ˈɪməteɪts/

third-person singular of “imitate” — reproduce someone's behavior or looks

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

learnsverbUS /lɜːrnz/

third-person singular of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

manenounUS /meɪn/

long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

ManyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

necknounUS /nek/

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/

come into possession of

From this reading It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

relatedadjectiveUS /rɪˈleɪtɪd/

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics

roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

runsnounUS /rʌnz/

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

shepherdsnounUS /ˈʃepərdz/

plural of “shepherd” — a clergyman who watches over a group of people

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

stallsnounUS /stɔːlz/

a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

strangestadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪndʒɪst/

superlative of “strange” — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HYÆNA.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

turningnounUS /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain the bodies of the dead.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

vomitingnounUS /ˈvɑːmətɪŋ/

the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that, in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The neck of the hyæna with the mane, runs continuously into the back-bone, so that the animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole body.

wonderfuladjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərfəl/

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

Chapter 12 of The Boys' and Girls' Pliny by the Elder, 24?-79 Pliny holds 40 sentences, grouped into 8 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.

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Chapter 12 holds 40 sentences of The Boys' and Girls' Pliny, unabridged, divided into 8 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of The Boys' and Girls' Pliny by the Elder, 24?-79 Pliny exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 40 sentences, grouped into 8 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.

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Chapter XII

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