The Vibration Wasps

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Vibration Wasps is here in full — 172 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Frank Belknap Long • Curated US English Learning Edition

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EDDINGTON'S OSCILLATIONS Horror and sick revulsion came into me as I stared down at the great wasps, with their many-faceted eyes seeming to probe the Jovian mists through a solid metal bulkhead!

They thought we were Jovian caterpillars!

Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

We looked enough like Jovian caterpillars to deceive those Jovian wasps.

They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

Narrator

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter IV Reading 1/34

The Vibration Wasps Frank Belknap Long

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Vibration Wasps is here in full — 172 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

EDDINGTON'S OSCILLATIONS Horror and sick revulsion came into me as I stared down at the great wasps, with their many-faceted eyes seeming to probe the Jovian mists through a solid metal bulkhead! They thought we were Jovian caterpillars! Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms. We looked enough like Jovian caterpillars to deceive those Jovian wasps. They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

The Vibration Wasps

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Vibration Wasps is here in full — 172 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

EDDINGTON'S OSCILLATIONS Horror and sick revulsion came into me as I stared down at the great wasps, with their many-faceted eyes seeming to probe the Jovian mists through a solid metal bulkhead!

Line 2

They thought we were Jovian caterpillars!

/ðeɪ θɔːt wiː wɜːr ˈdʒoʊviən ˈkætəpɪlərz/

Line 3

Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

Line 4

We looked enough like Jovian caterpillars to deceive those Jovian wasps.

/wiː lʊkt ɪˈnʌf laɪk ˈdʒoʊviən ˈkætəpɪlərz tuː dɪˈsiːv ðoʊz ˈdʒoʊviən wɑːsps/

Line 5

They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

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.

awry adjective US /ərˈaɪ/

turned or twisted toward one side

From this reading “They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.”

bulkhead noun US /ˈbʌlkhed/

a partition that divides a ship or plane into compartments

From this reading “EDDINGTON'S OSCILLATIONS Horror and sick revulsion came into me as I stared down at the great wasps, with their many-faceted eyes seeming to probe the Jovian mists through a solid metal bulkhead!”

caterpillars noun US /ˈkætəpɪlərz/

plural of “caterpillar” — a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth

From this reading “They thought we were Jovian caterpillars!”

flabby adjective US /ˈflæbi/

out of condition; not strong or robust; incapable of exertion or endurance

From this reading “Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.”

Jovian adjective US /ˈdʒoʊviən/

of or pertaining to or characteristic of or resembling the planet Jupiter

oscillations noun US /ˌɑːsəˈleɪʃənz/

plural of “oscillation” — the process of oscillating between states

probe verb US /proʊb/

question or examine thoroughly and closely

wasps noun US /wɑːsps/

plural of “wasp” — a white person of Anglo-Saxon ancestry who belongs to a Protestant denomination

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

came into verb + particle counted as “come into”

obtain, especially accidentally

In this reading “EDDINGTON'S OSCILLATIONS Horror and sick revulsion came into me as I stared down at the great wasps, with their many-faceted eyes seeming to probe the Jovian mists through a solid metal bulkhead!”

All words in this reading · 72

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 EDDINGTON'S OSCILLATIONS Horror and sick revulsion came into me as I stared down at the great wasps, with their many-faceted eyes seeming to probe the Jovian mists through a solid metal bulkhead!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

apparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/

from appearances alone

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

awryadjectiveUS /ərˈaɪ/

turned or twisted toward one side

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

bulkheadnounUS /ˈbʌlkhed/

a partition that divides a ship or plane into compartments

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

caterpillarsnounUS /ˈkætəpɪlərz/

plural of “caterpillar” — a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth

From this reading They thought we were Jovian caterpillars!

deceiveverbUS /dɪˈsiːv/

be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading We looked enough like Jovian caterpillars to deceive those Jovian wasps.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

EDDINGTON'S

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

egg-laying

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

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading We looked enough like Jovian caterpillars to deceive those Jovian wasps.

EvidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

flabbyadjectiveUS /ˈflæbi/

out of condition; not strong or robust; incapable of exertion or endurance

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

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

habitnounUS /ˈhæbət/

an established custom

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

HorrornounUS /ˈhɔːrər/

intense and profound fear

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/

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

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

JovianadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊviən/

of or pertaining to or characteristic of or resembling the planet Jupiter

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

larva-shapes

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

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

legsnounUS /leɡz/

staying power

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading We looked enough like Jovian caterpillars to deceive those Jovian wasps.

many-faceted

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

mepronounUS /miː/

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

measuringnounUS /ˈmeʒərɪŋ/

the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/

any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

mistverbUS /mɪst/

become covered with mist

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

mistsnounUS /mɪsts/

plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

OSCILLATIONSnounUS /ˌɑːsəˈleɪʃənz/

plural of “oscillation” — the process of oscillating between states

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

probeverbUS /proʊb/

question or examine thoroughly and closely

rearingnounUS /ˈrɪrɪŋ/

the properties acquired as a consequence of the way you were treated as a child

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

revulsionnounUS /rɪˈvʌlʃən/

intense aversion

seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/

appearing as such but not necessarily so

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

shipverbUS /ʃɪp/

transport commercially

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

sickadjectiveUS /sɪk/

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/

characterized by good substantial quality

staredverbUS /sterd/

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

stumpyadjective

short and thick; as e.g. having short legs and heavy musculature

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

terrestrialadjectiveUS /tərˈestriəl/

of or relating to or inhabiting the land as opposed to the sea or air

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They thought we were Jovian caterpillars!

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading We looked enough like Jovian caterpillars to deceive those Jovian wasps.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading They thought we were Jovian caterpillars!

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading They had apparently seen us through the walls of the ship, and their egg-laying instincts had gone awry.

waspsnounUS /wɑːsps/

plural of “wasp” — a white person of Anglo-Saxon ancestry who belongs to a Protestant denomination

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading They thought we were Jovian caterpillars!

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They thought we were Jovian caterpillars!

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

wormsnounUS /wɜːrmz/

plural of “worm” — any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading Evidently there were flabby, white larva-shapes out in the mist as large as men--with the habit perhaps of rearing upright on stumpy legs like terrestrial measuring worms.

Chapter 4 of The Vibration Wasps by Frank Belknap Long holds 172 sentences, grouped into 35 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 4 of The Vibration Wasps contain?

Chapter 4 holds 172 sentences of The Vibration Wasps, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Vibration Wasps by Frank Belknap Long exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 172 sentences, grouped into 35 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 4 of The Vibration Wasps?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Vibration Wasps

Common questions about reading The Vibration Wasps by Frank Belknap Long on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Vibration Wasps?

Yes. All 522 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #64820 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Vibration Wasps is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #64820, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Vibration Wasps take to read?

About 43 minutes of reading across 105 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Vibration Wasps section by section

How to work through The Vibration Wasps section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in The Vibration Wasps

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Vibration Wasps, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Enormous: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vibration Wasps; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Were--like: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vibration Wasps; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Jupiter--and: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vibration Wasps; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Unutterably: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vibration Wasps; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter IV

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