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Under One Flag
Under One Flag

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Under One Flag
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.
I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.
I re-wrote the thing from beginning to end.
What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!
I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.
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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.

Under One Flag

Chapter IV

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.
Line 2
I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.
Line 3
I re-wrote the thing from beginning to end.
Line 4
What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!
Line 5
I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.”

Anyone pronoun US /ˈeniwʌn/

any person at all

From this reading “I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.”

Beginning noun US /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading “I re-wrote the thing from beginning to end.”

Creature noun US /ˈcreature/

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

From this reading “I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.”

Everyone pronoun US /ˈevriwʌn/

every person

From this reading “What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I re-wrote the thing from beginning to end.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

absolute

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

amounted

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

anyonepronounUS /ˈeniwʌn/

any person at all

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading I re-wrote the thing from beginning to end.

biting

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

came

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

certainly

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

composition

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

From this reading What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!

conclusion

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

consent

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

contained

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

else

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

From this reading What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!

end

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

From this reading I re-wrote the thing from beginning to end.

everyonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/

every person

From this reading What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!

eyes

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

felt

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I re-wrote the thing from beginning to end.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

like

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

made

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

mile

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

From this reading What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!

moment

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

play

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

re-wrote

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

From this reading I re-wrote the thing from beginning to end.

read

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

rubbish

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

scarcely

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

seductive

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

single

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

speak

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

speaking

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

tacit

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

terms

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I re-wrote the thing from beginning to end.

throes

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

From this reading What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

tried

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

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

very

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

weak

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I was scarcely on speaking terms with a single creature, and when anyone tried to speak to me I felt like biting them.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading What a time I had while I was in the throes of composition! and what a time everyone else had who came within a mile of me!

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading I read his play again, and came to the conclusion that while, as it stood, it was absolute rubbish, it yet contained that of which something might be made.

yielded

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

From this reading In a weak moment--he certainly had very seductive eyes!--I yielded what amounted to a tacit consent.