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Carette of Sark
Carette of Sark

Chapter XXIV

Cover illustration for Carette of Sark
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
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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.

Carette of Sark

Chapter XXIV

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

Line 1
HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
Line 2
For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
Line 3
Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
Line 4
It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
Line 5
We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.”

Stockade noun US /ˈstockade/

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

From this reading “HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.”

All words in this reading · 97

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

ached

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.

AMPERDOO

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

any

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

black

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

From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.

brains

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

broke

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

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

came

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

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

certain

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

chance

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

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

counted

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

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

day

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

From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

dull

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

From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.

duly

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

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

exercise

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

fatal

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

fit

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

fully

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

getting

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

GOOD-BYE

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

hammocks

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

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

hopes

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

hot

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

From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.

HOW

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

Le

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

lying

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

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

Marchant

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

moment's

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

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

night

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

From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

occupied

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

offer

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

oppressive

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

From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

outer

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

overcoming

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

palisades

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

panting

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

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

past

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

planned

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

pondered

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

posted

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

SAID

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

scaling

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

see

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

sentries

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

sleeping-room

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

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

stockadenounUS /ˈstockade/

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

storm

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

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

succeeded

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

summer

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

Then

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

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

thickly

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

too

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

travel

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

unusual

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.

warning

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

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

way

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

WEpronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

well

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.

wing

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

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.