Chapter 1 of The Weakling is here in full — 487 sentences across 98 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
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Chapter I
Chapter 1 of The Weakling is here in full — 487 sentences across 98 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
_A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master. "And you couldn't find a trace of him?" "Nothing. Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck. He just dropped out of sight of his whole train.
Chapter 1 of The Weakling is here in full — 487 sentences across 98 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/97 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file
From this reading “_A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.”
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading “Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.”
the quality of being deadly
From this reading “_A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.”
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading “Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.”
a just detectable amount
From this reading “"And you couldn't find a trace of him?"”
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading “_A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.”
a person who is physically weak and ineffectual
From this reading “_A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.”
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading “_A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "And you couldn't find a trace of him?"
move towards
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And you couldn't find a trace of him?"
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
the quality of being deadly
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading He just dropped out of sight of his whole train.
divisible by two
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "And you couldn't find a trace of him?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "And you couldn't find a trace of him?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
and nothing more
From this reading He just dropped out of sight of his whole train.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "Nothing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He just dropped out of sight of his whole train.
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He just dropped out of sight of his whole train.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Not even a scrap of his cargo or so much as the bones of a long-neck.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
a just detectable amount
From this reading "And you couldn't find a trace of him?"
create by training and teaching
From this reading He just dropped out of sight of his whole train.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
a person who is physically weak and ineffectual
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading He just dropped out of sight of his whole train.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _A strong man can, of course, be dangerous, but he doesn't approach the vicious deadliness of a weakling--with a weapon!_ Naran Makun looked across the table at the caravan master.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "And you couldn't find a trace of him?"
Chapter 1 of The Weakling by Everett B. Cole holds 487 sentences, grouped into 98 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.
Chapter 1 holds 487 sentences of The Weakling, unabridged, divided into 98 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of The Weakling by Everett B. Cole exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 487 sentences, grouped into 98 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.
Work through the 98 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 98 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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.
Common questions about reading The Weakling by Everett B. Cole on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 1462 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #28486 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #28486, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 121 minutes of reading across 293 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through The Weakling section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 3 chapters of The Weakling to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in The Weakling, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
