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A Prisoner of Morro
A Prisoner of Morro

Chapter XXVIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.
The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.
Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.
It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.
But his surprise affected him but for an instant.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Prisoner of Morro

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.
Line 2
The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.
Line 3
Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.
Line 4
It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.
Line 5
But his surprise affected him but for an instant.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.”

AGAINST preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.”

Unarmed noun US /ˈunarmed/

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

From this reading “It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.

absence

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

affected

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

From this reading But his surprise affected him but for an instant.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

AGAINSTprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.

almost

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But his surprise affected him but for an instant.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

belonging

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

boat

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

brief

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But his surprise affected him but for an instant.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

Clif

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

decided

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

enemies

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

fallen

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

find

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

flagship

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

full

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

given

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

instant

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

manned

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

natural

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

ODDS

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

From this reading A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

peril

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

position

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

possibility

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

protracted

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

recognized

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

sent

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

shock

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

soon

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

Spaniards

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

startlingly

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

STRUGGLE

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

From this reading A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.

surprise

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

From this reading But his surprise affected him but for an instant.

suspected

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

unarmednounUS /ˈunarmed/

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

unexpected

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

unnerved

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

up

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

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

way

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

From this reading It seemed natural that a boat should be sent to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his enemies.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards, he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one belonging to the flagship.