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The Cassowary
The Cassowary

Chapter X

Cover illustration for The Cassowary
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.
He was too old a campaigner for that.
After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.
His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.
He acted promptly.
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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 Cassowary

Chapter X

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.
Line 2
He was too old a campaigner for that.
Line 3
After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.
Line 4
His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.
Line 5
He acted promptly.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.”

All words in this reading · 64

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 He was too old a campaigner for that.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

acted

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

From this reading He acted promptly.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

all

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

attack

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

austere

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

away

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

campaigner

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

From this reading He was too old a campaigner for that.

car

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

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

ceased

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

Colonel

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

comment

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

Conductor

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

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

confusion

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

contemplation

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

died

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

discussing

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

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

distract

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

dog

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

end

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

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

episode

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

eyes

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

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was too old a campaigner for that.

friend

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

guide

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was too old a campaigner for that.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

incarcerated

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

incident

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

Livingston's

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

manifest

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

old

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

From this reading He was too old a campaigner for that.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

philosopher

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

Porter

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

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

promptly

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

From this reading He acted promptly.

regard

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

rested

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

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

SIREN

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

startling

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

stirring

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

From this reading After the confusion had ceased and comment on the stirring incident had died away, he looked about in austere contemplation.

sufficed

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was too old a campaigner for that.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

together

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

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

too

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

From this reading He was too old a campaigner for that.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was too old a campaigner for that.

wayfarers

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

From this reading THE SIREN The startling episode of the attack of the dog had not sufficed to distract Colonel Livingston's regard from his manifest duty as guide, philosopher and friend to all the incarcerated wayfarers.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading His eyes rested upon the Conductor and Porter, who were discussing something together at the end of the car.