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The Story of the Foss River Ranch
The Story of the Foss River Ranch

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Story of the Foss River Ranch is here in full — 234 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Story of the Foss River Ranch
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PUSKY A pusky is a half-breed dance.
That is the literal meaning of the word.
The practical translation, however, is often different.
In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.
When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.
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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 the Foss River Ranch

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Story of the Foss River Ranch is here in full — 234 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PUSKY A pusky is a half-breed dance.
Line 2
That is the literal meaning of the word.
/ðæt ɪz ðə ˈlɪtərəl ˈmiːnɪŋ ʌv ðə wɜːrd/
Line 3
The practical translation, however, is often different.
/ðə ˈpræktəkəl trænzˈleɪʃən ˌhaʊˈevər ɪz ˈɔːfən ˈdɪfərənt/
Line 4
In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.
Line 5
When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.
/wen ˈdrʌŋkənnəs ənd ˈbestʃəl ˈpæʃənz ruːl ðə ˈækʃənz ʌv ðiːz wɜːrs ðæn ˈsævədʒəz/

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.

actions noun US /ˈækʃənz/

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading “When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.”

bestial adjective US /ˈbestʃəl/

resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility

From this reading “When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.”

drunkenness noun US /ˈdrʌŋkənnəs/

a temporary state resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol

From this reading “When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.”

instincts noun US /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/

plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading “In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.”

literal adjective US /ˈlɪtərəl/

being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something

From this reading “That is the literal meaning of the word.”

savages noun US /ˈsævədʒəz/

plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people

From this reading “When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.”

sway verb US /sweɪ/

move back and forth or sideways

From this reading “In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.”

translation noun US /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading “The practical translation, however, is often different.”

All words in this reading · 44

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE PUSKY A pusky is a half-breed dance.

actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

animalnounUS /ˈænəməl/

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

bestialadjectiveUS /ˈbestʃəl/

resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility

From this reading When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.

dancenounUS /dæns/

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading THE PUSKY A pusky is a half-breed dance.

debauchnoun

a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading The practical translation, however, is often different.

drunkennessnounUS /ˈdrʌŋkənnəs/

a temporary state resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol

From this reading When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.

frightfuladjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtfəl/

provoking horror

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

half-breednoun

an offensive term for an offspring of parents of different racial group (especially of Caucasian and American Indian ancestry)

From this reading THE PUSKY A pusky is a half-breed dance.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The practical translation, however, is often different.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/

plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading THE PUSKY A pusky is a half-breed dance.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

literaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərəl/

being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something

From this reading That is the literal meaning of the word.

lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

meaningnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋ/

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading That is the literal meaning of the word.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That is the literal meaning of the word.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading The practical translation, however, is often different.

orgie

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

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

passionsnounUS /ˈpæʃənz/

plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.

practicaladjectiveUS /ˈpræktəkəl/

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading The practical translation, however, is often different.

PUSKY

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

From this reading THE PUSKY A pusky is a half-breed dance.

realitynounUS /ˌriːˈælətiː/

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

rulenounUS /ruːl/

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.

savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/

plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people

From this reading When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.

strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

swayverbUS /sweɪ/

move back and forth or sideways

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That is the literal meaning of the word.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PUSKY A pusky is a half-breed dance.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

translationnounUS /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading The practical translation, however, is often different.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading In reality it is a debauch--a frightful orgie, when all the lower animal instincts--and they are many and strong in the half-breed--are given full sway.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading That is the literal meaning of the word.

worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading When drunkenness and bestial passions rule the actions of these worse than savages.

Chapter 17 of The Story of the Foss River Ranch by Ridgwell Cullum holds 234 sentences, grouped into 47 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 17 of The Story of the Foss River Ranch contain?

Chapter 17 holds 234 sentences of The Story of the Foss River Ranch, unabridged, divided into 47 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of The Story of the Foss River Ranch by Ridgwell Cullum exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 234 sentences, grouped into 47 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 17 of The Story of the Foss River Ranch?

Work through the 47 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 47 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 the Foss River Ranch

Common questions about reading The Story of the Foss River Ranch by Ridgwell Cullum on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Story of the Foss River Ranch?

Yes. All 7054 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #14482 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Story of the Foss River Ranch is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #14482, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Story of the Foss River Ranch take to read?

About 587 minutes of reading across 1411 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Story of the Foss River Ranch section by section

How to work through The Story of the Foss River Ranch section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 27 chapters of The Story of the Foss River Ranch 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 the Foss River Ranch

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Story of the Foss River Ranch, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Whole
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Story of the Foss River Ranch; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Canada
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Story of the Foss River Ranch; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boast
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Story of the Foss River Ranch; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Perfect
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Story of the Foss River Ranch; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.