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A Damaged Reputation
A Damaged Reputation

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for A Damaged Reputation
Context Illustration Reading 1/78 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.
It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.
Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.
Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.
It was succeeded by a furious roar of water.
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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.

A Damaged Reputation

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.
Line 2
It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.
Line 3
Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.
Line 4
Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.
Line 5
It was succeeded by a furious roar of water.

Learner Dictionary

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

Acrid adjective US /ˈæk.rɪd/

Having an unpleasantly bitter or pungent taste or smell.

From this reading “Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.”

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.”

All words in this reading · 83

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 Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

acridadjectiveUS /ˈæk.rɪd/

Having an unpleasantly bitter or pungent taste or smell.

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

almost

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

appalling

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

blinking

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

chiefly

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

cowered

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

crushed

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

darkness

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

detonation

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

down

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

downwards

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

especially

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

filled

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

flash

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

flying

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

followed

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

fortunate

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

fragments

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

furious

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

From this reading It was succeeded by a furious roar of water.

Giant-powder

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

grinding

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

half-dazed

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

haze

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

heave

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

hollow

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

ignoring

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

Jimmy

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

just

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

leaned

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

leapt

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

men

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

moment

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

nauseating

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

out

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

overwhelming

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

pressure

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

ran

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

rent

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

risk

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

roar

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

From this reading It was succeeded by a furious roar of water.

rock

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

rose

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

shattered

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

shiver

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

smashing

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

solid

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

sound

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

strikes

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

stunning

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

succeeded

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

From this reading It was succeeded by a furious roar of water.

swept

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

Then

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

there

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

timber

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

From this reading Then another sound rose out of the acrid haze as the rent trunks crushed beneath the pressure, and there was an appalling grinding and smashing of timber.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

trunks

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

two

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

vapor

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

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

water

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

From this reading It was succeeded by a furious roar of water.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Giant-powder strikes chiefly downwards, which was especially fortunate for two men just then, but the rock was swept by flying fragments of shattered trunks, and Jimmy cowered against it half-dazed.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was followed almost in the same moment by another, and the solid rock seemed to heave a shiver, while the hollow was filled with overwhelming sound and a nauseating vapor.

yellow

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

From this reading Then while Jimmy leaned down, blinking into the darkness and ignoring the risk he ran, a yellow flash leapt out below, and there was a stunning detonation.