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Chapter V

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Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.
The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.
The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.
Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.
Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.
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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.

Active Service

Chapter V

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.
Line 2
The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.
Line 3
The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.
Line 4
Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.
Line 5
Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.”

Oil noun US /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading “The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

aisles

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

back

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

bide

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

bore

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

brakemen

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

cars

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

case

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

change

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

cigar

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

circled

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

Coleman

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

compelled

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

doors

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

engine

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

examined

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

fat

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

fate

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

fetched

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

Important

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

lamps

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

legs

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

like

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

lonely

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

man

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

management

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

mishap

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

New

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

obscure

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

odor

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

oilnounUS /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

only

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

passengers

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

paused

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

pervaded

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

polar

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

proceeded

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

rapidly

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

region

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

side-track

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

smoke

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

sneezed

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

some

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

strange

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

stuffy

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

swung

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

there

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

train

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

wheezed

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

York

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.