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The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'
The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23 of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' is here in full — 71 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 23 of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman holds 71 sentences, grouped into 15 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 23 of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' contain?

Chapter 23 holds 71 sentences of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope', unabridged, divided into 15 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 71 sentences, grouped into 15 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 23 of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'?

Work through the 15 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 15 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Quest of the 'Golden Hope'

Common questions about reading The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'?

Yes. All 2544 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #38222 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #38222, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' take to read?

About 212 minutes of reading across 509 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' section by section

How to work through The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 33 chapters of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' 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 Quest of the 'Golden Hope'

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Quest of the 'Golden Hope', each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Fugitive
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sedgemoor
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Clifford
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hammond
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.
The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.
Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.
That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.
Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.
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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 Quest of the 'Golden Hope'

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23 of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' is here in full — 71 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.
Line 2
The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.
Line 3
Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.
Line 4
That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.
Line 5
Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

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, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.”

Another determiner US /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading “The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.”

All words in this reading · 111

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 The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

all

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

any

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

approaching

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

From this reading That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.

arms

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

asunder

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

From this reading That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

attempt

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

beak

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

began

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

body

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

brute

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

capsized

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

creature

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

creature's

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

cut

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

distinguish

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

embraces

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

eyes

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

fastened

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

flesh

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

From this reading That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.

foot

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

formidable

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

free

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

grasp

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

head

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

hideous

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

hold

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

increase

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

kicked

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

led

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

leg

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

less

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

loathsome

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

menacingly

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

naked

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

From this reading That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.

octopus

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

off

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

others

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

out

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

pair

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

Perils

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

prevent

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

prey

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From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

protruding

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From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

rend

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From this reading That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.

Retaining

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From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

rocks

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

round

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From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

seemed

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From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

seize

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From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

sheep's

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

Shoal

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

shoes

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

size

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

slimy

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From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

slowly

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

From this reading That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.

small

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From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

stamp

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

steps

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From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

swimming

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

take

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

tentacle

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

tentacles

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That beak was slowly approaching my naked flesh, to rend it asunder.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

unable

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

undoing

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

union

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

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding eyes and a formidable beak.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

work

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

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.

writhed

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

From this reading The Perils of the Shoal Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their prey.

yard

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

From this reading The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in length.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized.