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The story of Burnt Njal
The story of Burnt Njal

Chapter LXXII · Chapter 72

Chapter 72 of The story of Burnt Njal is here in full — 37 sentences across 8 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The story of Burnt Njal
Context Illustration Reading 1/7 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SLAYING OF THORGEIR OTKELL'S SON.
That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.
Kolskegg asked what that might mean.
Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".
So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.
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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 story of Burnt Njal

Chapter LXXII · Chapter 72

Chapter 72 of The story of Burnt Njal is here in full — 37 sentences across 8 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/7 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SLAYING OF THORGEIR OTKELL'S SON.
Line 2
That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.
Line 3
Kolskegg asked what that might mean.
Line 4
Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".
Line 5
So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.
/soʊ ðeɪ roʊd ɑːn tɪl ðeɪ sɔː men ˈsɪtɪŋ baɪ ðə ˈrɪvər ɑːn ðə ˈʌðər saɪd ənd ðeɪ hæd ˈteðərd ðer ˈhɔːrsəz/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

bill noun US /bɪl/

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading “That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.”

fights noun US /faɪts/

plural of “fight” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading “Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".”

lands noun US /lændz/

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading “Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".”

Oliver noun US /ˈɑːləvər/

United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)

From this reading “Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".”

slaying noun US /ˈsleɪɪŋ/

unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being

From this reading “THE SLAYING OF THORGEIR OTKELL'S SON.”

tethered adjective US /ˈteðərd/

confined or restricted with or as if with a rope or chain

From this reading “So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.”

token noun US /ˈtoʊkən/

an individual instance of a type of symbol

From this reading “That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.”

tokens noun US /ˈtoʊkənz/

plural of “token” — an individual instance of a type of symbol

From this reading “Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".”

All words in this reading · 65

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.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Kolskegg asked what that might mean.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

billnounUS /bɪl/

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

bloodnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

burstverbUS /bɜːrst/

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

fightsnounUS /faɪts/

plural of “fight” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

Gunnar

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

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

horsesnounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

Kolskegg

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

From this reading Kolskegg asked what that might mean.

landsnounUS /lændz/

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

MasternounUS /ˈmæstər/

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

meanverbUS /miːn/

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading Kolskegg asked what that might mean.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Kolskegg asked what that might mean.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SLAYING OF THORGEIR OTKELL'S SON.

OlivernounUS /ˈɑːləvər/

United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

OTKELL'S

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

From this reading THE SLAYING OF THORGEIR OTKELL'S SON.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

Rangriver

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

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

rodeverbUS /roʊd/

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

SLAYINGnounUS /ˈsleɪɪŋ/

unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being

From this reading THE SLAYING OF THORGEIR OTKELL'S SON.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

SONnounUS /sʌn/

a male human offspring

From this reading THE SLAYING OF THORGEIR OTKELL'S SON.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

tetheredadjectiveUS /ˈteðərd/

confined or restricted with or as if with a rope or chain

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SLAYING OF THORGEIR OTKELL'S SON.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

THORGEIR

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

From this reading THE SLAYING OF THORGEIR OTKELL'S SON.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading So they rode on till they saw men sitting by the river on the other side, and they had tethered their horses.

tokennounUS /ˈtoʊkən/

an individual instance of a type of symbol

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

tokensnounUS /ˈtoʊkənz/

plural of “token” — an individual instance of a type of symbol

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading That token happened as Gunnar and his brother rode up towards Rangriver, that much blood burst out on the bill.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Kolskegg asked what that might mean.

wound-drops

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

From this reading Gunnar says, "If such tokens took place in other lands, it was called 'wound-drops,' and Master Oliver told me also that this only happened before great fights".

Chapter 72 of The story of Burnt Njal by George Webbe, Sir [Translator] Dasent holds 37 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.

What does chapter 72 of The story of Burnt Njal contain?

Chapter 72 holds 37 sentences of The story of Burnt Njal, unabridged, divided into 8 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 72 of The story of Burnt Njal by George Webbe, Sir [Translator] Dasent exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 37 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.

How do I study chapter 72 of The story of Burnt Njal?

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.

Can chapter 72 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 72 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 story of Burnt Njal

Common questions about reading The story of Burnt Njal by George Webbe, Sir [Translator] Dasent on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The story of Burnt Njal?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The story of Burnt Njal is used?

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

How long does The story of Burnt Njal take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The story of Burnt Njal section by section

How to work through The story of Burnt Njal section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of The story of Burnt Njal 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 story of Burnt Njal

Words and structures a reader meets early in The story of Burnt Njal, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of The story of Burnt Njal, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of The story of Burnt Njal, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of The story of Burnt Njal, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.