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The Great Taboo
The Great Taboo

Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

Chapter 28 of The Great Taboo is here in full — 146 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
WAGER OF BATTLE.
Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.
As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.
It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.
What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?
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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 Great Taboo

Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

Chapter 28 of The Great Taboo is here in full — 146 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WAGER OF BATTLE.
/ˈweɪdʒər ʌv ˈbætəl/
Line 2
Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.
Line 3
As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.
Line 4
It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.
Line 5
What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?
/wʌt hoʊp ʌv səkˈses wɪð ðoʊz ˈwɑːtʃfəl spaɪz kiːn æz ˈbiːɡəlz ənd ˈkruːəl æz ˈblʌdhaʊndz ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ ˈevər ɑːn ðer træk/

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.

approachable adjective US /əˈproʊtʃəbəl/

capable of being read with comprehension

From this reading “Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.”

beagles noun US /ˈbiːɡəlz/

plural of “beagle” — a small short-legged smooth-coated breed of hound

From this reading “What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?”

bloodhounds noun US /ˈblʌdhaʊndz/

plural of “bloodhound” — a breed of large powerful hound of European origin having very acute smell and used in tracking

From this reading “What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?”

crackling noun US /ˈkræklɪŋ/

the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered

From this reading “As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.”

deathly adjective US /ˈdeθli/

having the physical appearance of death

From this reading “As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.”

footfall noun US /ˈfʊtfɔːl/

the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading “It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.”

overshadowed verb US /ˌoʊvərˈʃædoʊd/

past form of “overshadow” — be greater in significance than

From this reading “Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.”

undergrowth noun US /ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/

the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest

From this reading “It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.”

All words in this reading · 100

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 As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

afaradverbUS /əˈfɑːr/

(old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

alarmnounUS /əˈlɑːrm/

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

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 As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

approachableadjectiveUS /əˈproʊtʃəbəl/

capable of being read with comprehension

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

avoidverbUS /əˈvɔɪd/

stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

BATTLEnounUS /ˈbætəl/

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading WAGER OF BATTLE.

beaglesnounUS /ˈbiːɡəlz/

plural of “beagle” — a small short-legged smooth-coated breed of hound

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/

movement that causes the formation of a curve

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

bloodhoundsnounUS /ˈblʌdhaʊndz/

plural of “bloodhound” — a breed of large powerful hound of European origin having very acute smell and used in tracking

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

branchesnounUS /ˈbræntʃəz/

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

bushnounUS /bʊʃ/

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/

the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

creptverbUS /krept/

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

deathlyadjectiveUS /ˈdeθli/

having the physical appearance of death

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

deepadjectiveUS /diːp/

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

denseadjectiveUS /dens/

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/

weak from exhaustion

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/

creating or arousing excitement

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

EyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

Felix

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

fern-brake

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

footfallnounUS /ˈfʊtfɔːl/

the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

footstepnounUS /ˈfʊtstep/

the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

forestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/

a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

keenadjectiveUS /kiːn/

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

leavesnounUS /liːvz/

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

nativesnounUS /ˈneɪtɪvz/

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WAGER OF BATTLE.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

overshadowedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈʃædoʊd/

past form of “overshadow” — be greater in significance than

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/

plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/

unpleasantly

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

palace-temple

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

pathnounUS /pæθ/

a course of conduct

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

rangverbUS /ræŋ/

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

rearnounUS /rɪr/

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

regularadjectiveUS /ˈreɡjələr/

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

scrubverbUS /skrʌb/

clean with hard rubbing

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

snappedverbUS /snæpt/

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

spiesnounUS /spaɪz/

plural of “spy” — (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

stealthilyadverb

in a stealthy manner

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

successnounUS /səkˈses/

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

Toko

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

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

tracknounUS /træk/

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

trailnounUS /treɪl/

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

treenounUS /triː/

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

tropicaladjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪkəl/

relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

Tu-Kila-Kila's

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/

plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

undergrowthnounUS /ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/

the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest

From this reading It was Tu-Kila-Kila's Eyes, following them stealthily from afar, footstep for footstep, through the dense undergrowth of bush, and the crisp fallen leaves and twigs that snapped light beneath their footfall.

WAGERnounUS /ˈweɪdʒər/

the act of gambling

From this reading WAGER OF BATTLE.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading As he and Toko crept on, bending low, through that dense tropical scrub, in deathly silence, they were aware all the time of a low, crackling sound that rang ever some paces in the rear on their trail through the forest.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What hope of success with those watchful spies, keen as beagles and cruel as bloodhounds, following ever on their track?

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

woundnounUS /waʊnd/

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading Felix wound his way painfully through the deep fern-brake of the jungle, by no regular path, so as to avoid exciting the alarm of the natives, and to take Tu-Kila-Kila's palace-temple from the rear, where the big tree, which overshadowed it with its drooping branches, was most easily approachable.

Chapter 28 of The Great Taboo by Grant Allen holds 146 sentences, grouped into 30 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 28 of The Great Taboo contain?

Chapter 28 holds 146 sentences of The Great Taboo, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 28 of The Great Taboo by Grant Allen exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 146 sentences, grouped into 30 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 28 of The Great Taboo?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 28 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 28 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 Great Taboo

Common questions about reading The Great Taboo by Grant Allen on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Great Taboo?

Yes. All 4610 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #13876 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Great Taboo is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #13876, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Great Taboo take to read?

About 384 minutes of reading across 922 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Great Taboo section by section

How to work through The Great Taboo section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 32 chapters of The Great Taboo 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 Great Taboo

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Great Taboo, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Pacific
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Great Taboo; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Overboard
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Great Taboo; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Felix
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Great Taboo; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Thurstan's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Great Taboo; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.