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The Universe — or Nothing
The Universe — or Nothing

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Universe — or Nothing is here in full — 424 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Universe — or Nothing
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.
"I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.
"The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.
Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.
"Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Universe — or Nothing

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Universe — or Nothing is here in full — 424 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.
/ðə ˈprezədent ʌv ˈplænət ˈpluːtoʊ sendz ˈɡriːtɪŋz tuː ðə ˈprezədent ʌv ðə juːˈnaɪtɪd ˈɪnər ˈplænəteri ˈsɪstəm ənd tuː ɔːl ˈsɪtəzənz ʌv ðə ˈɪnər ˈriːdʒən/
Line 2
"I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.
Line 3
"The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.
/ðə ˈɡʌvərmənt ʌv ˈplænət ˈpluːtoʊ naʊ ənd ˈhenˈsfɔːrθ əˈsuːmz fɔːr ˌɪtˈself æz ˈlɔːfəl ɔːl ˈdɑːmənənt raɪts ʌv ˌɪndɪˈpendənt ˈneɪʃənz tuː pəˈzes ənd kənˈtroʊl ɔːl ˈterɪtɔːri ˈprɑːpərtiz məˈtɪriəlz səˈplaɪz ənd ɔːl ˈʌðər ˈriːsɔːrsɪz ɑːn ənd bɪˈniːθ ðə ˈsɜːrfəs ʌv ˈplænət ˈpluːtoʊ/
Line 4
Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.
Line 5
"Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.
/θruː ðɪs ˌprɑːkləˈmeɪʃən wiː ðə ˈɡʌvərmənt ʌv ˈplænət ˈpluːtoʊ ˈeksərsaɪz ˈaʊər raɪts ənd ˌɪmˈpoʊz ˈaʊər ləˈdʒɪtəmət əˈθɔːrəti/

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.

conformance noun US /kənˈfɔːrməns/

correspondence in form or appearance

From this reading “Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.”

contiguous adjective US /kənˈtɪɡjuːəs/

very close or connected in space or time

From this reading “Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.”

delineating verb US /dɪˈlɪnieɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “delineate” — show the form or outline of

From this reading “Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.”

inalienable adjective US /ˌɪˈneɪljənəbəl/

incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another

From this reading “"I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.”

interplanetary adjective US /ˌɪntərˈplænəteri/

between or among planets

From this reading “"I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.”

jurisdictions noun US /ˌdʒʊrɪsˈdɪkʃənz/

plural of “jurisdiction” — (law) the right and power to interpret and apply the law

From this reading “Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.”

planetary adjective US /ˈplænəteri/

of or relating to or resembling the physical or orbital characteristics of a planet or the planets

From this reading “"The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.”

Pluto noun US /ˈpluːtoʊ/

a cartoon character created by Walt Disney

From this reading “"The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.”

All words in this reading · 92

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.

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 "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

assumesverbUS /əˈsuːmz/

third-person singular of “assume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

authoritynounUS /əˈθɔːrəti/

the power or right to give orders or make decisions

From this reading "Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

boundariesnounUS /ˈbaʊndəriz/

plural of “boundary” — the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

citizensnounUS /ˈsɪtəzənz/

plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

conformancenounUS /kənˈfɔːrməns/

correspondence in form or appearance

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

consistentadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪstənt/

(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

constitutedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstətuːtəd/

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

contiguousadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪɡjuːəs/

very close or connected in space or time

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

controlnounUS /kənˈtroʊl/

power to direct or determine

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

customnounUS /ˈkʌstəm/

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/

argue or speak in defense of

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

delineatingverbUS /dɪˈlɪnieɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “delineate” — show the form or outline of

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

dominantadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːmənənt/

exercising influence or control

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

establishedadjectiveUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃt/

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

exercisenounUS /ˈeksərsaɪz/

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading "Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.

extendverbUS /ɪkˈstend/

extend in scope or range or area

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

GovernmentnounUS /ˈɡʌvərmənt/

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

greetingsnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋz/

plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

henceforthadverbUS /ˈhenˈsfɔːrθ/

from this time forth; from now on

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

herebyadverbUS /hɪrˈbaɪ/

(formal) by means of this

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

imposeverbUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊz/

compel to behave in a certain way

From this reading "Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

inalienableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈneɪljənəbəl/

incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/

free from external control and constraint

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

InneradjectiveUS /ˈɪnər/

located inward

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

INOR

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

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

interplanetaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈplænəteri/

between or among planets

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

jurisdictionnounUS /ˌdʒʊrəsˈdɪkʃən/

(law) the right and power to interpret and apply the law

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

jurisdictionsnounUS /ˌdʒʊrɪsˈdɪkʃənz/

plural of “jurisdiction” — (law) the right and power to interpret and apply the law

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

lawnounUS /lɔː/

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

lawfuladjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfəl/

conformable to or allowed by law

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/

established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

legitimateadjectiveUS /ləˈdʒɪtəmət/

of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful

From this reading "Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.

materialsnounUS /məˈtɪriəlz/

plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

membernounUS /ˈmembər/

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

Narval

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

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

nationaladjectiveUS /ˈnæʃənəl/

of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

NationsnounUS /ˈneɪʃənz/

plural of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

off-planet

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

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.

OuteradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

PlanetnounUS /ˈplænət/

(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 President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

PlanetaryadjectiveUS /ˈplænəteri/

of or relating to or resembling the physical or orbital characteristics of a planet or the planets

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

PlutonounUS /ˈpluːtoʊ/

a cartoon character created by Walt Disney

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

possessverbUS /pəˈzes/

have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

PresidentnounUS /ˈprezədent/

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

proclaimverbUS /proʊˈkleɪm/

declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

ProclamationnounUS /ˌprɑːkləˈmeɪʃən/

a formal public statement

From this reading "Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.

properlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːpərli/

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

propertiesnounUS /ˈprɑːpərtiz/

plural of “property” — something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

Reen

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

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

RegionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/

the extended spatial location of something

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

resourcesnounUS /ˈriːsɔːrsɪz/

plural of “resource” — available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

rightsnounUS /raɪts/

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

satellitenounUS /ˈsætəlaɪt/

man-made equipment that orbits around the earth or the moon

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

sendsverbUS /sendz/

third-person singular of “send” — cause to go somewhere

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

spacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

suppliesnounUS /səˈplaɪz/

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading "The Government of Planet Pluto, now and henceforth, assumes for itself as lawful all dominant rights of independent nations to possess and control all territory, properties, materials, supplies and all other resources on and beneath the surface of Planet Pluto.

SystemnounUS /ˈsɪstəm/

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

territorynounUS /ˈterɪtɔːri/

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.

ThroughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading "Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.

time-honoredadjective

acceptable for a long time

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

treatiesnounUS /ˈtriːtiz/

plural of “treaty” — a written agreement between two states or sovereigns

From this reading Such rights extend off-planet to national boundaries established in conformance with treaties in effect for delineating planetary and satellite jurisdictions in near and contiguous space.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading "The President of Planet Pluto sends greetings to the President of the United Inner Planetary System and to all citizens of the Inner Region.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Through this Proclamation, we, the Government of Planet Pluto, exercise our rights and impose our legitimate authority.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I, President Reen Narval, hereby declare and proclaim that Planet Pluto, as an independent and properly constituted member of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR), has the legal and inalienable right to use and to defend INOR territory under my jurisdiction consistent with time-honored custom and interplanetary law.

Chapter 5 of The Universe — or Nothing by Meyer Moldeven holds 424 sentences, grouped into 85 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 5 of The Universe — or Nothing contain?

Chapter 5 holds 424 sentences of The Universe — or Nothing, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The Universe — or Nothing by Meyer Moldeven exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 424 sentences, grouped into 85 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 5 of The Universe — or Nothing?

Work through the 85 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 85 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 Universe — or Nothing

Common questions about reading The Universe — or Nothing by Meyer Moldeven on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Universe — or Nothing?

Yes. All 5871 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #18257 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Universe — or Nothing is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #18257, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Universe — or Nothing take to read?

About 489 minutes of reading across 1175 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Universe — or Nothing section by section

How to work through The Universe — or Nothing section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 14 chapters of The Universe — or Nothing 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 Universe — or Nothing

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Universe — or Nothing, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Meyer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Universe — or Nothing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Moldeven
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Universe — or Nothing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Civilian
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Universe — or Nothing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Logistics
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Universe — or Nothing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.