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Wacousta — Volume 1
Wacousta — Volume 1

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Wacousta — Volume 1 is here in full — 57 sentences across 12 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/11 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.
This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.
A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.
By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.
The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Wacousta — Volume 1

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Wacousta — Volume 1 is here in full — 57 sentences across 12 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/11 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.
/waɪl ðə ˈædʒətənt wɑːz jet ˈriːdɪŋ ɪn ə loʊ ənd ˈsɑːləm vɔɪs ðə ˈsɜːrvəs fɔːr ðə ded ə fɪrs ənd ˈdɪstənt jel æz ɪf frʌm ə ˈliːdʒən ʌv ˈdevəlz bɜːrst ˈsʌdənli frʌm ðə ˈfɔːrəst ənd brɔːt ðə hændz ʌv ðə ˈstɑːrtəld ˈɔːfəsərz ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː tuː ðer sɔːrdz/
Line 2
This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.
/ðɪs əˈpɔːlɪŋ kraɪ ˈlæstəd wɪˈθaʊt ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən fɔːr ˈmeni ˈmɪnəts ənd wɑːz ðen æz əˈbrʌptli tʃekt æz ɪt hæd bɪn ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli dɪˈlɪvərd/
Line 3
A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.
/ə kənˈsɪdərəbəl pɔːz səkˈsiːdɪd ənd ðen əˈɡen ɪt roʊz wɪð ˈiːvɪn mɔːr ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ ˈviːəməns ðæn bɪˈfɔːr/
Line 4
By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.
Line 5
The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

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.

adjutant noun US /ˈædʒətənt/

an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer

From this reading “While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.”

devilish adjective US /ˈdevlɪʃ/

showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil

From this reading “By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.”

indicative adjective US /ˌɪnˈdɪkətɪv/

relating to the mood of verbs that is used simple in declarative statements

From this reading “The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.”

legion noun US /ˈliːdʒən/

archaic terms for army

From this reading “While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.”

recapture verb US /riˈkæptʃər/

experience anew

From this reading “The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.”

toils noun US /tɔɪlz/

plural of “toil” — productive work (especially physical work done for wages)

From this reading “The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.”

unaccustomed adjective US /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/

unusual or unfamiliar

From this reading “By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.”

yells noun US /jelz/

plural of “yell” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading “By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.”

All words in this reading · 120

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

abruptlyadverbUS /əˈbrʌptli/

quickly and without warning

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

adjutantnounUS /ˈædʒətənt/

an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

appallingnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/

an experience that appalls

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

burstverbUS /bɜːrst/

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

causenounUS /kɑːz/

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/

patterned with alternating squares of color

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/

an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

cryverbUS /kraɪ/

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/

money collected under a tariff

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

deadadjectiveUS /ded/

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

deliveredverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərd/

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

devilishadjectiveUS /ˈdevlɪʃ/

showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

devilsnounUS /ˈdevəlz/

plural of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

disappointmentnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/

a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

divined

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

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

escapedadjectiveUS /ɪˈskeɪpt/

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/

characterized by expression

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/

well known or easily recognized

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

fanciedadjectiveUS /ˈfænsid/

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

fierceadjectiveUS /fɪrs/

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

forestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/

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

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

habitsnounUS /ˈhæbəts/

plural of “habit” — an established custom

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

handsnounUS /hændz/

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

IndiansnounUS /ˈɪndiənz/

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

indicativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪkətɪv/

relating to the mood of verbs that is used simple in declarative statements

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/

as a matter of instinct

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/

an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/

past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

legionnounUS /ˈliːdʒən/

archaic terms for army

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

officersnounUS /ˈɔːfəsərz/

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

pausenounUS /pɔːz/

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

pealed

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

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

practicenounUS /ˈpræktəs/

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

prisonernounUS /ˈprɪzənər/

a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/

a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

pursuitnounUS /pərˈsuːt/

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

recaptureverbUS /riˈkæptʃər/

experience anew

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

renderedverbUS /ˈrendərd/

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

savagelyadverbUS /ˈsævɪdʒli/

in a vicious manner

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/

plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

solemnadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləm/

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

soundsnounUS /saʊndz/

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

succeededverbUS /səkˈsiːdɪd/

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

successnounUS /səkˈses/

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/

happening unexpectedly

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

swordsnounUS /sɔːrdz/

plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

thusadverbUS /ðʌs/

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

toilsnounUS /tɔɪlz/

plural of “toil” — productive work (especially physical work done for wages)

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

triumphnounUS /ˈtraɪəmf/

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/

unusual or unfamiliar

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/

in a way that was not expected

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

vehemencenounUS /ˈviːəməns/

intensity or forcefulness of expression

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

vengeancenounUS /ˈvendʒəns/

the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

warlikeadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrlaɪk/

disposed to warfare or hard-line policies

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The first was, to their conception, a yell expressive at once of vengeance and disappointment in pursuit,--perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,--in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A considerable pause succeeded, and then again it rose with even more startling vehemence than before.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was then as abruptly checked as it had been unexpectedly delivered.

yellnounUS /jel/

a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

yellsnounUS /jelz/

plural of “yell” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading By one unaccustomed to those devilish sounds, no distinction could have been made in the two several yells that had been thus savagely pealed forth; but those to whom practice and long experience in the warlike habits and customs of the Indians had rendered their shouts familiar, at once divined, or fancied they divined, the cause.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading While the adjutant was yet reading, in a low and solemn voice, the service for the dead, a fierce and distant yell, as if from a legion of devils, burst suddenly from the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords.

Chapter 4 of Wacousta — Volume 1 by Major (John) Richardson holds 57 sentences, grouped into 12 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 4 of Wacousta — Volume 1 contain?

Chapter 4 holds 57 sentences of Wacousta — Volume 1, unabridged, divided into 12 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Wacousta — Volume 1 by Major (John) Richardson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 57 sentences, grouped into 12 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 4 of Wacousta — Volume 1?

Work through the 12 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 12 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Wacousta — Volume 1

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Is this the complete text of Wacousta — Volume 1?

Yes. All 1386 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4719 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Wacousta — Volume 1 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4719, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Wacousta — Volume 1 take to read?

About 115 minutes of reading across 278 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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How to work through Wacousta — Volume 1 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in Wacousta — Volume 1

Words and structures a reader meets early in Wacousta — Volume 1, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Introduce
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wacousta — Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Readers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wacousta — Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Scenes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wacousta — Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
European
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Wacousta — Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.