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Lord Jim
Lord Jim

Chapter XIX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’
Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.
‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.
Thus with Patusan.
It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Lord Jim

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’
Line 2
Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.
Line 3
‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.
Line 4
Thus with Patusan.
Line 5
It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.”

Anybody pronoun US /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading “‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.”

Resumed noun US /ˈresumed/

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

From this reading “Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.”

Suppose noun US /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading “‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

aberrations

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

activities

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

any

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

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’

anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

astronomers

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

Batavia

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

careful

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

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

cigar

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

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

circles

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

composition

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

conduct

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

crowding

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

don't

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

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’

earthly

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

especially

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’

few

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

government

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’

heard

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

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’

heavenly

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’

importance

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

inner

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

irregularities

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

knowingly

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

known

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

learnedly

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

light

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

lighting

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

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

lot

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

mankind

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

many

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

Marlow

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

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

matter

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

mercantile

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

night

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

occupied

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

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

paid

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

path

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

Patusan

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

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’

referred

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

resumednounUS /ˈresumed/

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

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

scandal-mongering

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

scientific

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

some

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

sort

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

sphere

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’

talk

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Marlow resumed, after a silence occupied in the careful lighting of a cigar.

there's

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

Thus

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

From this reading Thus with Patusan.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

very

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

weight

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

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading ‘It does not matter; there’s many a heavenly body in the lot crowding upon us of a night that mankind had never heard of, it being outside the sphere of its activities and of no earthly importance to anybody but to the astronomers who are paid to talk learnedly about its composition, weight, path--the irregularities of its conduct, the aberrations of its light--a sort of scientific scandal-mongering.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Thus with Patusan.

world

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

From this reading It was referred to knowingly in the inner government circles in Batavia, especially as to its irregularities and aberrations, and it was known by name to some few, very few, in the mercantile world.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘I don’t suppose any of you have ever heard of Patusan?’