Chapter 1 of The Secret of the Ninth Planet is here in full — 40 sentences across 8 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Chapter 1 of The Secret of the Ninth Planet is here in full — 40 sentences across 8 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet. 5. _Up the Rope of Space_ 6. _Sunward Ho!_ 8. _The Veil of Venus_ 9.
Chapter 1 of The Secret of the Ninth Planet is here in full — 40 sentences across 8 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/8 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
a book or pamphlet containing an enumeration of things
From this reading “The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.”
the legislature of the United States government
From this reading “The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.”
-ing form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading “The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.”
plural of “denizen” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading “The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.”
produced in a large-scale industrial operation
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading “The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.”
position nine in a countable series of things
From this reading “The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.”
the second nearest planet to the sun
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.
as might be expected
In this reading “The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.”
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 5.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Up the Rope of Space_ 6.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Sunward Ho!_ 8.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Veil of Venus_ 9.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
a book or pamphlet containing an enumeration of things
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
the legislature of the United States government
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
-ing form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
plural of “denizen” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs together with yttrium; forms highly magnetic compounds
From this reading _Sunward Ho!_ 8.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
a room where books are kept
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
produced in a large-scale industrial operation
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
position nine in a countable series of things
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
a strong line
From this reading _Up the Rope of Space_ 6.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading _Up the Rope of Space_ 6.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Sunward Ho!_ 8.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet _Cecile Matschat, Editor_ _Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor_ Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-5328 _Manufactured in the United States of America_ For-- Three denizens of this minor planet: Eleanor, Bill, and of course Janet.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading _Up the Rope of Space_ 6.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading _The Veil of Venus_ 9.
the second nearest planet to the sun
From this reading _The Veil of Venus_ 9.
Chapter 1 of The Secret of the Ninth Planet by Donald A. Wollheim holds 40 sentences, grouped into 8 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.
Chapter 1 holds 40 sentences of The Secret of the Ninth Planet, unabridged, divided into 8 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of The Secret of the Ninth Planet by Donald A. Wollheim exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 40 sentences, grouped into 8 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.
Work through the 8 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 8 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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.
Common questions about reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet by Donald A. Wollheim on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 3287 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #33644 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #33644, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 273 minutes of reading across 658 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through The Secret of the Ninth Planet section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 20 chapters of The Secret of the Ninth Planet to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in The Secret of the Ninth Planet, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
