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Trailin'!
Trailin'!

Chapter XXVIII

Cover illustration for Trailin'!
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
For that matter, he was always first.
He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
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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.

Trailin'!

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
Line 2
For that matter, he was always first.
Line 3
He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
Line 4
To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
Line 5
He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.”

All words in this reading · 73

Every word is available to listen to. 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 To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

absorbed

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

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

action

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

alternately

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

always

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

From this reading For that matter, he was always first.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

appear

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

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

astonishing

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

ate

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

big

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

close

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

coming

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

desire

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

dining-room

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

Drew's

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

eat

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

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

effort

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

expedition

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

finish

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

food

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

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For that matter, he was always first.

fork

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading For that matter, he was always first.

head

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

industry

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

Jansen

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

knife

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

like

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

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

lowering

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

marvellous

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

matter

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

From this reading For that matter, he was always first.

meal

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

mechanical

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

mist

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

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

mouth

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

pass

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

plate

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

prepared

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

shapeless

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

SHOW

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

simply

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

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

speed

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

spurred

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

Swede

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For that matter, he was always first.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

then

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

To-night

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

tremendous

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

truly

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

From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.

unfaltering

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

vanished

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

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.

working

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

From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.