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Under the Big Dipper
Under the Big Dipper

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13 of Under the Big Dipper is here in full — 247 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Under the Big Dipper
Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.
Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.
The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.
Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.
As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.
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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 the Big Dipper

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13 of Under the Big Dipper is here in full — 247 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.
Line 2
Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.
Line 3
The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.
Line 4
Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.
Line 5
As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

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.

astride adverb US /əˈstraɪd/

with one leg on each side

From this reading “Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.”

coaxed verb US /koʊkst/

past form of “coax” — influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

From this reading “The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.”

firs noun US /fɜːrz/

plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree

From this reading “As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.”

lumbering noun US /ˈlʌmbərɪŋ/

the trade of cutting or preparing or selling timber

From this reading “The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.”

serviceable adjective US /ˈsɜːrvəsəbəl/

ready for service or able to give long service

From this reading “Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.”

squeaked verb US /skwiːkt/

past form of “squeak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise

From this reading “The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.”

sulphur verb US /ˈsʌlfər/

treat with sulphur in order to preserve

From this reading “The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.”

teamster noun US /ˈtiːmstər/

the driver of a team of horses doing hauling

From this reading “Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.”

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.

thick undergrowth adjective + noun

In this reading “As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.”

narrow valley verb + noun

In this reading “As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.”

emerged from verb + particle counted as “emerge from”

In this reading “As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.”

set off verb + particle

put in motion or move to act

In this reading “Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.”

under way preposition + noun

in motion; set in motion

In this reading “The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.”

All words in this reading · 112

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.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

animalsnounUS /ˈænəməlz/

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

astrideadverbUS /əˈstraɪd/

with one leg on each side

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

brighteradjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtər/

comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

brothersnounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

chestnounUS /tʃest/

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

coaxedverbUS /koʊkst/

past form of “coax” — influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

Donald

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

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

drewnounUS /druː/

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

driversnounUS /ˈdraɪvərz/

plural of “driver” — the operator of a motor vehicle

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

EastnounUS /iːst/

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

encouragedadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒd/

inspired with confidence

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

experiencedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspɪriənst/

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

firsnounUS /fɜːrz/

plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

forbiddinglyadverb

in an unpleasant or menacing manner

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

frowningadjectiveUS /ˈfraʊnɪŋ/

showing displeasure or anger

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

fursnounUS /fɜːrz/

plural of “fur” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

gloomyadjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmi/

depressingly dark

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/

overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

gottenverbUS /ˈɡɑːtən/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

handledadjectiveUS /ˈhændəld/

having a usually specified type of handle

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

heldadjectiveUS /held/

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

helpedverbUS /helpt/

past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

hillsidenounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪd/

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

horsesnounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

knowsnounUS /noʊz/

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

leadernounUS /ˈliːdər/

a person who rules or guides or inspires others

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

locationnounUS /loʊˈkeɪʃən/

a point or extent in space

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

luckilyadverbUS /ˈlʌkəli/

by good fortune

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

lumberingnounUS /ˈlʌmbərɪŋ/

the trade of cutting or preparing or selling timber

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

MortonnounUS /ˈmɔːrtən/

United States jazz musician who moved from ragtime to New Orleans jazz (1885-1941)

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

of an obscure nature

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

Papiu

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

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

perceptiblyadverb

in a noticeable manner

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

powerfuladjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərfəl/

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

prayedverbUS /preɪd/

past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

protectionnounUS /prəˈtekʃən/

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

pulledverbUS /pʊld/

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

reinsnounUS /reɪnz/

plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

roadnounUS /roʊd/

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

scratchedverbUS /skrætʃt/

past form of “scratch” — cause friction

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

serviceableadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəbəl/

ready for service or able to give long service

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

sheepnounUS /ʃiːp/

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

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

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

shouldersnounUS /ˈʃoʊldərz/

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

skynounUS /skaɪ/

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

sled-runners

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

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

slopenounUS /sloʊp/

an elevated geological formation

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

slopedadjective

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

squareverbUS /skwer/

make square

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

squeakedverbUS /skwiːkt/

past form of “squeak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/

lacking natural ease

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

streaknounUS /striːk/

an unbroken series of events

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

subtleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌtəl/

difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

sulphurverbUS /ˈsʌlfər/

treat with sulphur in order to preserve

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

sworeverbUS /swɔːr/

inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

teamsternounUS /ˈtiːmstər/

the driver of a team of horses doing hauling

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

threatenedadjectiveUS /ˈθretənd/

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

turnsnounUS /tɜːrnz/

plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

undergrowthnounUS /ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/

the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

valleynounUS /ˈvæli/

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

vehiclenounUS /ˈviːhɪkəl/

a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

wagon-recess

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

From this reading Morton in short serviceable sheep furs that set off his square shoulders and powerful chest, helped the ladies into their wagon-recess.

walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The horses strained and pulled; the sled-runners squeaked and scratched but luckily held; the drivers, by turns, coaxed and threatened, prayed and swore, until at last the vehicle was gotten under way.

waysnounUS /weɪz/

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

WestnounUS /west/

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading As they emerged from the protection of the firs and the thick undergrowth the road became brighter and sloped perceptibly towards the narrow valley which marked the location of the mountain road leading to the West.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The frowning and forbiddingly gloomy slope of the hillside across the gorge to the East showed clear against the sulphur streak in the sky, when the lumbering vehicle drew up before the porch and the order came to start.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

youngeradjectiveUS /ˈjʌŋɡər/

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading Papiu walked at the head of the horses, Donald handled the reins while the younger of the brothers, astride the leader, encouraged the animals in the subtle, mysterious ways which only the experienced teamster knows.

Chapter 13 of Under the Big Dipper by Desiderius George Dery holds 247 sentences, grouped into 50 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 13 of Under the Big Dipper contain?

Chapter 13 holds 247 sentences of Under the Big Dipper, unabridged, divided into 50 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of Under the Big Dipper by Desiderius George Dery exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 247 sentences, grouped into 50 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 13 of Under the Big Dipper?

Work through the 50 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 50 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 13 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 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 Under the Big Dipper

Common questions about reading Under the Big Dipper by Desiderius George Dery on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Under the Big Dipper?

Yes. All 7612 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59446 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Under the Big Dipper is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59446, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Under the Big Dipper take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1523 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Under the Big Dipper section by section

How to work through Under the Big Dipper section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 29 chapters of Under the Big Dipper 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 Under the Big Dipper

Words and structures a reader meets early in Under the Big Dipper, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

India
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Under the Big Dipper; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wonderful--india
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Under the Big Dipper; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Buddha
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Under the Big Dipper; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mystery
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Under the Big Dipper; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.