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The Fur Bringers
The Fur Bringers

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for The Fur Bringers
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE "TEA DANCE."
When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.
All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.
The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.
The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.
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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 Fur Bringers

Chapter XX

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE "TEA DANCE."
Line 2
When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.
Line 3
All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.
Line 4
The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.
Line 5
The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

Learner Dictionary

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

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.”

Center noun US /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading “The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.”

Third noun US /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

air

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

All

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

Ambrose

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

arrived

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

beds

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

chairs

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

clear

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

combined

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

cook-stove

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

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

DANCE

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

From this reading THE "TEA DANCE."

dancers

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

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

emanations

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

floor

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

fumes

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

Grampierre

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

human

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

Jack

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

Kakisas

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

kinnikinic

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

kneeling

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

line

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

lungs

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

Mackenzie's

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

many

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

narrow

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

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

occupied

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

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

others

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

perched

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

present

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

pressed

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

room

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

second

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

sexes

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

shack

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

Simon

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

space

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

From this reading The cook-stove occupied the center of the room, and around it a narrow space had been left for the dancers.

squatting

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

suffocating

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

tables

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

TEA

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

From this reading THE "TEA DANCE."

tea-dance

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE "TEA DANCE."

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

thick

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

thirdnounUS /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

tiers

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

view

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

wedged

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

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading All around the room they were pressed in tiers, the first line squatting, the second kneeling, the third standing, and others behind, perched on chairs, beds and tables, that all might have a clear view of the floor.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.

white

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

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The air was suffocating to white lungs, what with human emanations combined with the thick fumes of kinnikinic.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading When Ambrose and Simon Grampierre arrived at the tea-dance they found present as many of the Kakisas of both sexes as could be wedged within Jack Mackenzie's shack.