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After Dark
After Dark

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for After Dark
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.
Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.
Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.
It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.
The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

After Dark

Chapter XII

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.
Line 2
Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.
Line 3
Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.
Line 4
It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.
Line 5
The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading “It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.”

Throughout preposition US /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading “Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.”

Waking adjective US /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading “One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.”

All words in this reading · 109

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 One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

all

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

awful

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

barren

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

beach

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

behold

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

blackness

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

blast

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

boat

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

Brittany

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

burst

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

cherish

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

clouds

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

cottage

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

crashing

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

day

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

departure

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

dreary

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

eleven

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

evening

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

fainter

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

family

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

fish

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

fisherman

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

fisherman's

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

forth

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

Francois

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

French

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

fresh

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

furiously

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

gathered

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

gone

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

grew

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

heathy

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

hopes

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

hour

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

increase

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

intervals

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

late

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

listened

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

longer

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

night

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

nine

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

now

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

o'clock

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

oftener

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

out

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

peninsula

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

period

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

Quiberon

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

raging

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

Revolution

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

risen

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

safety

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

Sarzeau

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

sea

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

Shortly

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

sky

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From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

son

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

storm

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

strove

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

threatening

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

tore

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

usual

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

From this reading Francois had gone out in his boat that evening, as usual, to fish.

wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

watching

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

waves

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

way

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

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading One night, during the period of the first French Revolution, the family of Francois Sarzeau, a fisherman of Brittany, were all waking and watching at a late hour in their cottage on the peninsula of Quiberon.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.

whole

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

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Shortly after his departure, the wind had risen, the clouds had gathered; and the storm, which had been threatening at intervals throughout the whole day, burst forth furiously about nine o’clock.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was now eleven; and the raging of the wind over the barren, heathy peninsula still seemed to increase with each fresh blast that tore its way out upon the open sea; the crashing of the waves on the beach was awful to hear; the dreary blackness of the sky terrible to behold.

younger

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

From this reading The longer they listened to the storm, the oftener they looked out at it, the fainter grew the hopes which the fisherman’s family still strove to cherish for the safety of Francois Sarzeau and of his younger son who had gone with him in the boat.