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Watchbird
Watchbird

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Watchbird
Context Illustration Reading 1/157 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.
The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.
There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.
"Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.
The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.
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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.

Watchbird

Chapter I

Reading 1/157 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.
Line 2
The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.
Line 3
There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.
Line 4
"Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.
Line 5
The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “_Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “_Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.”

All words in this reading · 67

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

angles

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading _Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.

blue

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

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

broke

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

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

called

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

From this reading "Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.

came

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

From this reading "Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.

casual

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

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

Charlie

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

From this reading "Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.

cigar

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

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

conversation

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

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

counting

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

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

Earth

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

enough

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

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

entered

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

expensive

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

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

figuring

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

Gelsen

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

greeting

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

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

hand

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

From this reading _Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading _Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

Hi

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

From this reading "Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

how

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

From this reading _Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.

idea

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

manufacturers

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

Millennium

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

From this reading _Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

off

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

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

often

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

From this reading _Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Hi, Charlie," one of them called as he came in.

out

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

peace

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

present

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

room

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

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

saw

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

see

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

six

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

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

smoke

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

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

Strange

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

From this reading _Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Strange how often the Millennium has been at hand.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

There

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

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.

watchbird

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

wave

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

From this reading The rest broke off conversation long enough to wave a casual greeting at him.

way

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

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles._ When Gelsen entered, he saw that the rest of the watchbird manufacturers were already present.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading There were six of them, not counting himself, and the room was blue with expensive cigar smoke.