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Down the Ravine
Down the Ravine

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Down the Ravine
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.
Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.
He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.
As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.
He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.
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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.

Down the Ravine

Chapter V

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.
Line 2
Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.
Line 3
He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.
Line 4
As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.
Line 5
He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

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 “As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading “Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.”

Journey noun US /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading “As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.”

Mechanically noun US /ˈmechanically/

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

From this reading “As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.”

Mysterious adjective US /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading “As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.”

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.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

absorbed

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

afterward

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

always

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

appreciate

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

Birt

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

change

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

conversation

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

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

cooled

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

From this reading Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.

day

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

departure

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

depths

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

esteem

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.

friend's

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

fully

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

futilely

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

hardly

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

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

heart

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

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

held

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

high

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

hopes

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

learned

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

lying

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

mechanically

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

men

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

Nate's

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

nearest

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

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

noticed

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

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

pondering

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

ravine

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

remembered

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

said

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

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

shortly

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

SuddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.

tantalizing

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

tanyard

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

too

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

touched

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

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

untried

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.

wish

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

From this reading He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.

work

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

From this reading As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine.