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Wyandotté
Wyandotté

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for Wyandotté
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.
It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."
Mrs. Seba Smith.
The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.
A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.
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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.

Wyandotté

Chapter XX

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.
Line 2
It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."
Line 3
Mrs. Seba Smith.
Line 4
The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.
Line 5
A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

Learner Dictionary

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

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “"His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.”

Disposition noun US /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/

the way something is arranged or positioned

From this reading “A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.”

Ship noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.”

Support verb US /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading “The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."”

All words in this reading · 73

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

abandoning

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

always

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

apprehensions

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

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

auxiliary

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

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

breathed

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

care

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

cause

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

contagious

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

deep-blue

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

desertions

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

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

dew

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/

the way something is arranged or positioned

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

failing

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

gave

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

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

gravest

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

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

grew

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

ground

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

hand

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

knew

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

known

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

lavish'd

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

many

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

men

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

Mrs

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

From this reading Mrs. Seba Smith.

much

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

nature

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

only

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

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

peril

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

pleading

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

presence

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

quit

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

rats

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

round

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

screen

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

Seba

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

From this reading Mrs. Seba Smith.

serjeant

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

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

sinking

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

sky

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

Smith

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

From this reading Mrs. Seba Smith.

stay'd

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

sunshine

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading The desertions gave not only the captain, but his great support and auxiliary, the serjeant, the gravest apprehensions.

teeming

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

things

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A disposition of that nature is always contagious, men abandoning a failing cause much as rats are known to quit a sinking ship.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

Twas

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

up

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."

why

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

From this reading "His hand was stay'd--he knew not why; 'Twas a presence breathed around-- A pleading from the deep-blue sky, And up from the teeming ground.

wrought

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

From this reading It told of the care that lavish'd had been In sunshine and in dew-- Of the many things that had wrought a screen When peril round it grew."