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Cosmic Saboteur
Cosmic Saboteur

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for Cosmic Saboteur
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.
He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.
It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the street.
A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.
Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.
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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.

Cosmic Saboteur

Chapter VII

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.
Line 2
He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.
Line 3
It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the street.
Line 4
A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.
Line 5
Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.”

Glowing noun US /ˈglowing/

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

From this reading “It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the street.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

alley

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

almost

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

band

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

bigger

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

From this reading It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the street.

black

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

cafe

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

calmly

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

cigarette

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

circle

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

down

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

earnestly

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

eight

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

end

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

evening

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

faintly

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

far

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

frightened

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the street.

glowingnounUS /ˈglowing/

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

hidden

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

inside

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

From this reading It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the street.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

lieutenants

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

light

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

lit

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the street.

low-ceilinged

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

man

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

moustache

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

o'clock

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

off

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

old-fashioned

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the street.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

out

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

Paris

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

Pigalle

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

platform

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

Reynolds

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

room

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

Rue

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

seated

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

side

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

small

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

smoke

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

Stan

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

Stan's

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

stepped

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

street

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

table

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

talking

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

Tanner

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the street.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

Thursday

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

tiny

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

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

walked

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

From this reading He calmly lit a cigarette and walked down the street to a small cafe.

walrus

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Tanner and Reynolds, one of Stan's lieutenants, were seated at a small table along the side, earnestly talking to a frightened little man with an old-fashioned walrus moustache.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was eight o'clock Thursday evening when Stan stepped out of a faintly glowing circle of black light in a small alley off the Rue Pigalle in Paris.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A long, low-ceilinged room with a tiny platform and a small band, almost hidden by the cigarette smoke, at the far end.