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The Intriguers
The Intriguers

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for The Intriguers
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.
The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.
Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.
The sergeant's calculations were not reassuring, and he frowned.
"The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.
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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 Intriguers

Chapter XX

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.
Line 2
The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.
Line 3
Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.
Line 4
The sergeant's calculations were not reassuring, and he frowned.
Line 5
"The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.”

Bluff adjective US /blʌf/

direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough

From this reading “A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.”

DUTY noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “"The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.”

Let auxiliary verb US /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

away

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

back

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

big

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

bluffadjectiveUS /blʌf/

direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

brightly

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

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

burned

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

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

calculations

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

From this reading The sergeant's calculations were not reassuring, and he frowned.

campfire

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

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

carefully

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

close

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

cold

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

DUTYnounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

edge

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

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

Emile

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

estimating

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

fire

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

frowned

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

From this reading The sergeant's calculations were not reassuring, and he frowned.

gathered

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

grub

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

hand

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The sergeant's calculations were not reassuring, and he frowned.

held

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

hole

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

Lane

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

lost

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

made

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

MATTER

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

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

men

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The sergeant's calculations were not reassuring, and he frowned.

notebook

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

plain

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

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

provisions

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

quantity

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

reassuring

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

From this reading The sergeant's calculations were not reassuring, and he frowned.

repacked

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

round

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

said

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

scattered

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

semi-circle

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

Sergeant

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

sergeant's

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

From this reading The sergeant's calculations were not reassuring, and he frowned.

side

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

small

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

smoke

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

Stony

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

straggling

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

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY The campfire burned brightly in a straggling bluff at the edge of the plain.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

trees

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

turning

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

village

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

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "The time we lost turning back to the Stony village has made a big hole in our grub," he said.

weight

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Sergeant Lane held a notebook in his hand, while Emile repacked a quantity of provisions, the weight of which they had been carefully estimating.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The scattered trees were small and let in the cold wind, and the men were gathered close round the fire in a semi-circle on the side away from the smoke.