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The Flyers
The Flyers

Chapter V

Cover illustration for The Flyers
Context Illustration Reading 1/64 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.
Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.
"It's a very ugly looking river," she murmured encouragingly.
She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.
"I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.
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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 Flyers

Chapter V

Reading 1/64 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.
Line 2
Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.
Line 3
"It's a very ugly looking river," she murmured encouragingly.
Line 4
She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.
Line 5
"I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.

Learner Dictionary

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

Expect verb US /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading “She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.”

Express verb US /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading “Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

afraid

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

APPROACHES

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

ASconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

attempt

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

boat

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

breathed

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

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

bridge

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

From this reading "I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

came

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

convince

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

devotion

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

dismay

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

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

don't

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

From this reading "I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

easier

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

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

encouragingly

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

From this reading "It's a very ugly looking river," she murmured encouragingly.

expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

explanation

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

feel

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

future

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

gave

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

From this reading "I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

honour

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

It's

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

From this reading "It's a very ugly looking river," she murmured encouragingly.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

landing-place

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

looking

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

From this reading "It's a very ugly looking river," she murmured encouragingly.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

murmured

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

From this reading "It's a very ugly looking river," she murmured encouragingly.

NeitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

NIGHT

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

obliged

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

offer

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

opposite

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

perhaps

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

politely

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

From this reading "I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.

presence

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.

river

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "It's a very ugly looking river," she murmured encouragingly.

side

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

sigh

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

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

slavish

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

slippery

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

some

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

spoke

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

tangible

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

Then

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

From this reading Then each breathed easier, in a sigh that seemed to express both relief and dismay.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

ugly

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

From this reading "It's a very ugly looking river," she murmured encouragingly.

uncertain

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

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading AS NIGHT APPROACHES Neither spoke until the boat came to its slippery, uncertain landing-place on the opposite side of the river.

very

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

From this reading "It's a very ugly looking river," she murmured encouragingly.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

way

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

From this reading She was afraid he might feel obliged, in honour, to offer an explanation for his presence, perhaps attempt to convince her in some tangible way that she was to expect nothing but slavish devotion from him in the future.

wonder

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

From this reading "I don't wonder that the bridge gave way," he replied politely.