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Mardi, and a Voyage Thither, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Mardi, and a Voyage Thither, Vol. 2 (of 2)

Chapter XIV · Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark

Cover illustration for Mardi, and a Voyage Thither, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Context Illustration Reading 1/69 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
Be sure, it was startling.
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Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Mardi, and a Voyage Thither, Vol. 2 (of 2)

Chapter XIV · Babbalanja Discourses In The Dark

Reading 1/69 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.
Line 2
At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.
Line 3
But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.
Line 4
Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.
Line 5
Be sure, it was startling.

Learner Dictionary

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

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Be sure, it was startling.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

all

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

Beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Be sure, it was startling.

becalming

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

blades

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

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

blast

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

broad

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

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

calm

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

came

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

From this reading Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.

clouds

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

conch

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

constellations

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

crow's

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

day

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

From this reading Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.

echoes

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

fell

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

heaven

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

hoar

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

hollows

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

impatient

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Be sure, it was startling.

lagoon

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

mouth

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

nest

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

NextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.

night

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

old

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

onward

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

From this reading Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

out

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

paddlers

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

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

plied

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

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

ran

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

rent

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

reverberating

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

rock

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

sailed

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

From this reading Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.

sails

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

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

seizing

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

shark's

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

sounded

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

sprang

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

startling

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

From this reading Be sure, it was startling.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.

stout

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

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Be sure, it was startling.

sweeping

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

there

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

Thus

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

useless

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

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

Vee-Vee

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

wailing

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Be sure, it was startling.

water

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Next day came and went; and still we onward sailed.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading But though our sails were useless, our paddlers plied their broad stout blades.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.

wide

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

From this reading At last, by night, there fell a calm, becalming the water of the wide lagoon, and becalming all the clouds in heaven, wailing the constellations.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Thus sweeping by a rent and hoar old rock, Vee-Vee, impatient of the calm, sprang to his crow’s nest in the shark’s mouth, and seizing his conch, sounded a blast which ran in and out among the hollows, reverberating with the echoes.