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Ironheart
Ironheart

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Ironheart
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.
It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.
He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.
Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.
He drove with precision, as he did everything else in his well-ordered life.
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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.

Ironheart

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.
Line 2
It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.
Line 3
He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.
Line 4
Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.
Line 5
He drove with precision, as he did everything else in his well-ordered life.

Learner Dictionary

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

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “He drove with precision, as he did everything else in his well-ordered life.”

Fitted adjective US /ˈfɪtɪd/

prepared and equipped for a particular purpose

From this reading “Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.”

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

accessories

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

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He drove with precision, as he did everything else in his well-ordered life.

Bar

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

best

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

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

burning

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

characteristic

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

condition

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

cool

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

Dam

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

date

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

Diamond

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

down

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

drove

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

else

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

From this reading He drove with precision, as he did everything else in his well-ordered life.

engineer's

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

evening

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading He drove with precision, as he did everything else in his well-ordered life.

expensive

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

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

exposure

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

face

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

figure

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/

prepared and equipped for a particular purpose

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

got

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

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

Handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

heavy-set

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

immaculate

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

Justin

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

K

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

LUTE

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

Merrick

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

perfect

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

precision

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

From this reading He drove with precision, as he did everything else in his well-ordered life.

ranch

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

RIFT

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

Rockies

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

runabout

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

smooth-shaven

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

snugly

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

strong

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

suit

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

sun

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

Sweetwater

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

tanned

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A RIFT IN THE LUTE In the cool of the evening Justin Merrick drove down from the Sweetwater Dam to the Diamond Bar K ranch.

up

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was characteristic of him that his runabout was up to date and in perfect condition.

well-ordered

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

From this reading He drove with precision, as he did everything else in his well-ordered life.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Hands and face were tanned from exposure to the burning sun of the Rockies, but he was smooth-shaven and immaculate in the engineer’s suit which fitted his strong, heavy-set figure so snugly.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He drove with precision, as he did everything else in his well-ordered life.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He had an expensive taste in the accessories of life, and he either got the best or did without.