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Kim
Kim

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Kim
Context Illustration Reading 1/127 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!
He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.
Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.
There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.
Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.
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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.

Kim

Chapter I

Reading 1/127 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!
Line 2
He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.
Line 3
Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.
Line 4
There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.
Line 5
Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

Learner Dictionary

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

Dragon noun US /ˈdræɡən/

a mythical or imagined creature shaped like a large reptile

From this reading “Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.”

All words in this reading · 102

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 Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

Ajaib-Gher

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

always

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

any

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

astride

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

bazar

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

Beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

black

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

boy

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

boys

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

brick

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

Buddha

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

burned

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

call

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

clipped

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

conqueror's

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

consorted

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

Day

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

defiance

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

Dinanath's

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

dragonnounUS /ˈdræɡən/

a mythical or imagined creature shaped like a large reptile

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

English

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

equality

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

fire-breathing

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

gentle

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

green-bronze

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

gun

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

heathen

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

held

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

hold

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

House

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

Judgment

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

justification

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

Kamakura

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

kicked

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

Kim

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

Lahore

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

Lala

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

loot

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

mother-tongue

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

municipal

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

Museum

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

Narrow

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

native

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

natives

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

O

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

off

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

old

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

opposite

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

orders

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

perfect

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

piece

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

platform

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

poorest

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

pray

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

preference

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

Punjab

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

sat

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

sing-song

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

small

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

some

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

spoke

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

terms

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

There

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

Tophet-flare

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

tread

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

trunnions

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

uncertain

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

vernacular

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

very

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was some justification for Kim—he had kicked Lala Dinanath’s boy off the trunnions—since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English.

Way

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

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

white

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

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Though he was burned black as any native; though he spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain sing-song; though he consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazar; Kim was white—a poor white of the very poorest.

Wonder

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

yepronounUS /jiː/

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading O ye who tread the Narrow Way By Tophet-flare to Judgment Day, Be gentle when “the heathen” pray To Buddha at Kamakura!

Zam

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From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.

Zam-Zammah

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

From this reading Who hold Zam-Zammah, that “fire-breathing dragon”, hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.

Zammah

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

From this reading He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum.