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The Saga of Grettir the Strong
The Saga of Grettir the Strong

Chapter XVI · Thorbjorn Slowcoach at Home

Cover illustration for The Saga of Grettir the Strong
Context Illustration Reading 1/12 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.
Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.
The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.
Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.
Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.
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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 Saga of Grettir the Strong

Chapter XVI · Thorbjorn Slowcoach at Home

Reading 1/12 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.
Line 2
Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.
Line 3
The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.
Line 4
Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.
Line 5
Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

Learner Dictionary

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 “Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.”

Inquired noun US /ˈinquired/

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

From this reading “The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.”

Whilst conjunction US /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.

adventure

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

From this reading The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.

assembled

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

autumn

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

came

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

conduct

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

famous

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

feast

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

fighting

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

gave

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

Grettir

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

Grettir's

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

From this reading The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

Hrutafjord

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

From this reading The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

inclined

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/

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

From this reading The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

Kormak

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

many

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

North

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

Oxmain

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

people

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

From this reading The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.

praised

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

ridge

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

From this reading The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.

said

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

saw

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

shirk

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

Slowcoach

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.

summer

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

From this reading The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.

talked

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

Then

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

there

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.

things

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.

Thorbjorn

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

up

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

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

Vatnsdal

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.

worst

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

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.