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All Taut
All Taut

Chapter IX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
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COMPLIMENTARY TO THE PICNIC-PARTY.
The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.
Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.
They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.
Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.
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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.

All Taut

Chapter IX

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
COMPLIMENTARY TO THE PICNIC-PARTY.
Line 2
The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.
Line 3
Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.
Line 4
They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.
Line 5
Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.”

Forecastle noun US /ˈforecastle/

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

From this reading “Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.”

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 They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

acting

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

attended

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

backed

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

bad

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

Bates

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

board

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

boys

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

Bristol

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

companions

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

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

COMPLIMENTARY

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

From this reading COMPLIMENTARY TO THE PICNIC-PARTY.

condition

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

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

considered

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

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

decide

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

deck-hand

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

enjoyed

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

examination

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

forecastlenounUS /ˈforecastle/

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

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

forenoon

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

head

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

heard

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

institution

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

midst

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

misdemeanor

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

motion

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

ogre

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

out

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

Paul

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

penitents

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

PICNIC-PARTY

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

From this reading COMPLIMENTARY TO THE PICNIC-PARTY.

prisoners

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

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

said

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

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

steamer

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

stern-line

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

Sylph

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading COMPLIMENTARY TO THE PICNIC-PARTY.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

there

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

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

throw

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading COMPLIMENTARY TO THE PICNIC-PARTY.

Tom

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

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Tom and his companions were prisoners on the forecastle; and, though nothing had been said to the penitents, they considered themselves in the same condition.

wharf

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

From this reading Paul Bristol attended to the stern-line, against which the steamer backed to throw her head out from the wharf.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading They had heard of Bates, who was the ogre of the institution to bad boys; and there he was, acting as a deck-hand.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.

yacht

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

From this reading The penitents had never been on board of the Sylph before; and, even in the midst of the examination which was to decide what was to be done with them for the misdemeanor of the forenoon, they enjoyed the motion of the yacht.