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Down the River
Down the River

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Down the River
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A BATTLE AT LONG RANGE.
I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.
Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.
If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.
I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Down the River

Chapter V

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A BATTLE AT LONG RANGE.
Line 2
I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.
Line 3
Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.
Line 4
If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.
Line 5
I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

Learner Dictionary

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

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.”

Divided noun US /ˈdivided/

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

From this reading “If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.”

Equally noun US /ˈequally/

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

From this reading “If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.”

LONG noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A BATTLE AT LONG RANGE.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.”

All words in this reading · 67

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 A BATTLE AT LONG RANGE.

always

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

animals

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

appertaining

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A BATTLE AT LONG RANGE.

BATTLE

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

From this reading A BATTLE AT LONG RANGE.

best

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

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

black

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

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

bore

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

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

breath

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

Bully

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

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

called

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

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

Darky

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

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

decided

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

dividednounUS /ˈdivided/

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

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

dog

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

equallynounUS /ˈequally/

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

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

especially

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

favorites

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

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

fond

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

graceful

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

harnesses

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

horse

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

liked

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

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

LONGnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A BATTLE AT LONG RANGE.

love

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

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

most

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

penchant

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

prime

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

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

protest

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

RANGE

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

From this reading A BATTLE AT LONG RANGE.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

used

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

very

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

wagon

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I was always very fond of a dog and a horse, and had a taste for everything appertaining to these animals.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading If I bore a divided love, it was so equally divided that I could not tell which I liked the best.

whip

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

wish

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Darky, as the black horse was called, and my dog Bully, were prime favorites with me.

working

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

From this reading I was fond of working over the horse, the wagon, the harnesses, and most especially I had a decided _penchant_ for a graceful whip; but I wish to protest, in the same breath, that I never used it upon Darky.