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The Universe — or Nothing
The Universe — or Nothing

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Universe — or Nothing is here in full — 425 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Universe — or Nothing
Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.
Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.
The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.
Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."
The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.
0:00 / 0:00
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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 Universe — or Nothing

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Universe — or Nothing is here in full — 425 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.
/ðə tæŋk ˈʃɪmərd klɪrd ənd ɪn ˈræpəd səkˈseʃən flæʃt ˈɪmədʒəz ʌv ˈbætəl ˈkruːzərz dɪˈstrɔɪərz ənd səˈpɔːrt ʃɪps/
Line 2
Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.
Line 3
The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.
Line 4
Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."
/əˈnʌðər ˈfloʊtəd təˈwɔːrd hɪm prɪˈsiːdɪd baɪ ə ɡraʊl ˈtaɪtən/
Line 5
The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

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.

armament noun US /ˈɑːrməmənt/

weaponry used by military or naval force

From this reading “Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.”

capsule noun US /ˈkæpsəl/

a small container

From this reading “The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.”

cruisers noun US /ˈkruːzərz/

plural of “cruiser” — a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters

From this reading “The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.”

destroyers noun US /dɪˈstrɔɪərz/

plural of “destroyer” — a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship

From this reading “The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.”

listing noun US /ˈlɪstɪŋ/

a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)

From this reading “Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.”

Logistics noun US /ləˈdʒɪstɪks/

handling an operation that involves providing labor and materials be supplied as needed

From this reading “The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.”

rating noun US /ˈreɪtɪŋ/

an appraisal of the value of something

From this reading “Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.”

shimmered verb US /ˈʃɪmərd/

past form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light

From this reading “The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.”

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

AnotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."

armamentnounUS /ˈɑːrməmənt/

weaponry used by military or naval force

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

assaultnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/

close fighting during the culmination of a military attack

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

battlenounUS /ˈbætəl/

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."

capsulenounUS /ˈkæpsəl/

a small container

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

clearedadjectiveUS /klɪrd/

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/

made or joined or united into one

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

cruisersnounUS /ˈkruːzərz/

plural of “cruiser” — a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

DatanounUS /ˈdeɪtə/

a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

DepotnounUS /ˈdiːpoʊ/

station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

destroyersnounUS /dɪˈstrɔɪərz/

plural of “destroyer” — a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

flashedverbUS /flæʃt/

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

growlnounUS /ɡraʊl/

the sound of growling (as made by animals)

From this reading Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."

imagesnounUS /ˈɪmədʒəz/

plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

INOR

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

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

listingnounUS /ˈlɪstɪŋ/

a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

LogisticsnounUS /ləˈdʒɪstɪks/

handling an operation that involves providing labor and materials be supplied as needed

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

majoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

mannernounUS /ˈmænər/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

platformsnounUS /ˈplætfɔːrmz/

plural of “platform” — a raised horizontal surface

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/

past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."

rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

ratedverbUS /ˈreɪtɪd/

past form of “rate” — assign a rank or rating to

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

ratingnounUS /ˈreɪtɪŋ/

an appraisal of the value of something

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/

the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/

set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

recordingnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

repeatedadjectiveUS /rɪˈpiːtɪd/

recurring again and again

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/

an unvarying or habitual method or procedure

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

shimmeredverbUS /ˈʃɪmərd/

past form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/

possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

shipsnounUS /ʃɪps/

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/

a following of one thing after another in time

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

supportnounUS /səˈpɔːrt/

the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

tanknounUS /tæŋk/

an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The tank shimmered, cleared, and in rapid succession flashed images of battle cruisers, destroyers and support ships.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

TitannounUS /ˈtaɪtən/

a person of exceptional importance and reputation

From this reading Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading Another floated toward him, preceded by a growl "Titan."

unreeled

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

From this reading Data unreeled across the lower section of the tank, listing ship's armament and ship's readiness rating.

weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/

inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The routine repeated, and within a short time, the major INOR platforms and weapons for a combined assault on the Logistics Depot had been recorded and rated for readiness.

Zolan

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

From this reading The recording completed, Zolan withdrew the capsule and returned it in the same manner as received.

Chapter 8 of The Universe — or Nothing by Meyer Moldeven holds 425 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 8 of The Universe — or Nothing contain?

Chapter 8 holds 425 sentences of The Universe — or Nothing, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of The Universe — or Nothing by Meyer Moldeven exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 425 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 8 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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.