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He
He

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for He
Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE ZU.
Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.
Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.
Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.
Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.
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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.

He

Chapter VI

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE ZU.
Line 2
Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.
Line 3
Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.
Line 4
Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.
Line 5
Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.”

Mysterious adjective US /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading “Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.”

Passage noun US /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading “Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

barred

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

best

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

black

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

bordered

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

bowels

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

canal

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

cross

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

dawn

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

distance

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

dived

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

dreary

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

earth

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

eastern

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

emerged

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

expanse

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

fell

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

finally

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

flaring

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

grinning

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

hand

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

horizon

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

iron

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

light

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

like

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

lit

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

lucifer

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

made

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

man

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

matches

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

mile

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

murky

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

NextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

Night

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

now

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

obstacles

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

obstructed

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

passagenounUS /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

path

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

perfectly

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

plunged

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

quarter

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

row

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

series

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

smelling

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

straight

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

strange

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

From this reading Night fell: a strange, murky night, smelling of lucifer matches, and lit on the eastern horizon by a mysterious light, flaring like a dreary dawn.

streams

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

teeth

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

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE ZU.

thousand

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

tranquil

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Next we found the canal barred by a grinning row of black iron teeth, under which we dived as best we might.

very

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

From this reading Our passage was obstructed by a thousand obstacles, and at one point we plunged into the very bowels of the earth for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

water

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Our course was now through a series of cross streams, and finally we emerged into a long, perfectly straight, and perfectly tranquil expanse of water, bordered by a path which had every appearance of having been made by the hand of man.

ZU

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

From this reading THE ZU.