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The Interpreter: A Tale of the War
The Interpreter: A Tale of the War

Chapter XXXI

Chapter 31 of The Interpreter: A Tale of the War is here in full — 184 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Interpreter: A Tale of the War
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!
None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.
I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.
Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?
Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?
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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 Interpreter: A Tale of the War

Chapter XXXI

Chapter 31 of The Interpreter: A Tale of the War is here in full — 184 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!
Line 2
None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.
/nʌn ʌv ðiːz ˌdefəˈnɪʃənz wɪl aɪ ækˈsept æz ɪkˈspresɪŋ ɪɡˈzæktli ðə kənˈdɪʃənz ənd nəˈsesɪtiz ʌv ˈaʊər ˈspiːʃiz/
Line 3
I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.
Line 4
Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?
/waɪ duː men drɪŋk ˈkwɔːrəl ˈɡæmbəl ənd weɪst ðer ˈsʌbstəns ɪn ˈraɪətəs ˈlɪvɪŋ/
Line 5
Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

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.

definitions noun US /ˌdefəˈnɪʃənz/

plural of “definition” — a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol

From this reading “None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.”

Gallic adjective US /ˈɡælɪk/

of or pertaining to Gaul or the Gauls

From this reading “"THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!”

languishes verb US /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃɪz/

third-person singular of “languish” — lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief

From this reading “I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.”

omnivorous adjective US /ɑːmˈnɪvərəs/

feeding on both plants and animals

From this reading “"THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!”

riotous adjective US /ˈraɪətəs/

produced or growing in extreme abundance

From this reading “Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?”

torpid adjective US /ˈtɔːrpəd/

slow and apathetic

From this reading “I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.”

variously adverb US /ˈveriəsli/

in diverse ways

From this reading “"THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!”

Watts noun US /wɑːts/

English poet and theologian (1674-1748)

From this reading “Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

riotous living adjective + noun

In this reading “Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?”

idle hands adjective + noun

In this reading “Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?”

All words in this reading · 102

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 "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

acceptverbUS /ækˈsept/

consider or hold as true

From this reading None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.

accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

animalnounUS /ˈænəməl/

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

becomesverbUS /bɪˈkʌmz/

third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

bipednoun

an animal with two feet

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/

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

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

conditionsnounUS /kənˈdɪʃənz/

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.

contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/

an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/

the human act of creating

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/

clearly characterized or delimited

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

definitionnounUS /ˌdefəˈnɪʃən/

a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

definitionsnounUS /ˌdefəˈnɪʃənz/

plural of “definition” — a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol

From this reading None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

Dr

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

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

drinkverbUS /drɪŋk/

take in liquids

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

energiesnounUS /ˈenərdʒiz/

plural of “energy” — (physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

exactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.

excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

expressingverbUS /ɪkˈspresɪŋ/

-ing form of “express” — give expression to

From this reading None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.

fednounUS /fed/

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

FRONTnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

GallicadjectiveUS /ˈɡælɪk/

of or pertaining to Gaul or the Gauls

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

gambleverbUS /ˈɡæmbəl/

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

handsnounUS /hændz/

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/

only a very short time before

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

holdverbUS /hoʊld/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

idleadjectiveUS /ˈaɪdəl/

not in action or at work

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/

made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

languishesverbUS /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃɪz/

third-person singular of “languish” — lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

likewiseadverbUS /ˈlaɪkwaɪz/

in like or similar manner

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

losesverbUS /ˈluːzəz/

third-person singular of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

MannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

necessitiesnounUS /nəˈsesɪtiz/

plural of “necessity” — the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.

neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/

plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

noblestadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊblɪst/

superlative of “noble” — impressive in appearance

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

NonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

omnivorousadjectiveUS /ɑːmˈnɪvərəs/

feeding on both plants and animals

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

pabulumnoun

any substance that can be used as food

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

philosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/

plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

quarrelnounUS /ˈkwɔːrəl/

an angry dispute

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

reasoningnounUS /ˈriːzənɪŋ/

thinking that is coherent and logical

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

riotousadjectiveUS /ˈraɪətəs/

produced or growing in extreme abundance

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

SatannounUS /ˈseɪtən/

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

self-clothing

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

shapenounUS /ʃeɪp/

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

Simiæ

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.

specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/

an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

stoutlyadverbUS /ˈstaʊtli/

in a resolute manner

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/

the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

tailnounUS /teɪl/

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading None of these definitions will I accept as expressing exactly the conditions and necessities of our species.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

torpidadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrpəd/

slow and apathetic

From this reading I believe man to be an animal fed on excitement--the only one in creation that without that pabulum, in some shape or another, languishes, becomes torpid, and loses its noblest energies both of mind and body.

truthnounUS /truːθ/

a fact that has been verified

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

unfeatheredadjective

having no feathers

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

variouslyadverbUS /ˈveriəsli/

in diverse ways

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

wastenounUS /weɪst/

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

WattsnounUS /wɑːts/

English poet and theologian (1674-1748)

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why do men drink, quarrel, gamble, and waste their substance in riotous living?

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "THE FRONT" Man has been variously defined by philosophers as a cooking animal (the truth of this definition, unless when applied to our Gallic neighbours, I stoutly contest), as a reasoning animal (this likewise will hardly hold water), as a self-clothing animal, as an omnivorous one, as an unfeathered biped, and as an improved specimen of the order of Simiæ without the tail!

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Why does Satan, according to good Dr. Watts, always provide work "for idle hands to do"?

Chapter 31 of The Interpreter: A Tale of the War by G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville holds 184 sentences, grouped into 37 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 31 of The Interpreter: A Tale of the War contain?

Chapter 31 holds 184 sentences of The Interpreter: A Tale of the War, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 31 of The Interpreter: A Tale of the War by G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 184 sentences, grouped into 37 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 31 of The Interpreter: A Tale of the War?

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Vocabulary met early in The Interpreter: A Tale of the War

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