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From the Earth to the Moon
From the Earth to the Moon

Chapter VII · History of the Cannon

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Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.
Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.
The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.
The following evening the discussion was renewed.
“My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

From the Earth to the Moon

Chapter VII · History of the Cannon

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.
Line 2
Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.
Line 3
The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.
Line 4
The following evening the discussion was renewed.
Line 5
“My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading ““My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading ““My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading ““My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.”

All words in this reading · 71

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

20,000

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

answer

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

From this reading The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

Barbicane

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

cannon

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

colleagues

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

composition

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

construction

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

dear

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

destined

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

From this reading The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.

discussion

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

From this reading The following evening the discussion was renewed.

doors

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

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

effect

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

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

engine

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

evening

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

From this reading The following evening the discussion was renewed.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

following

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

From this reading The following evening the discussion was renewed.

fright

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

further

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

idea

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

launched

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

mass

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

meeting

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

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

mighty

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

minutes

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

From this reading The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

now

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

out

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

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

people

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

pounds

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

preamble

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

produced

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

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

questions

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

From this reading The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.

renewed

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

From this reading The following evening the discussion was renewed.

resolutions

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

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

said

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

second

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

From this reading The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.

shot

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

space

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

subject

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

sufficient

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect out of doors.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

Timid

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

transmit

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

triumphantly

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

From this reading The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

velocity

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The following evening the discussion was renewed.

weighing

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

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

weight

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

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The minutes of the second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing 20,000 pounds being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “My dear colleagues,” said Barbicane, without further preamble, “the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.