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Off on a Comet! A Journey Through Planetary Space
Off on a Comet! A Journey Through Planetary Space

Chapter VII · Ben Zoof Watches in Vain

Cover illustration for Off on a Comet! A Journey Through Planetary Space
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.
The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.
It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.
Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.
He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Off on a Comet! A Journey Through Planetary Space

Chapter VII · Ben Zoof Watches in Vain

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.
Line 2
The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.
Line 3
It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.
Line 4
Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.
Line 5
He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

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 “He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.”

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading “He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.”

Forgotten adjective US /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading “Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.”

Philosophy noun US /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/

The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)

From this reading “Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.”

All words in this reading · 105

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 In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

accommodation

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

account

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

adjacent

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

advanced

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

agitated

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

almost

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

altered

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

any

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

asleep

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

atmosphere

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

axis

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

best

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

bring

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

captain's

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

cardinal

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

certain

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

change

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

consciousness

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

days

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

degree

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

diminution

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

displacement

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

earth's

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

ecliptic

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

effort

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

elementary

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

erection

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

experiences

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

failed

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

far

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

few

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

find

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

general

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

gourbi

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

governor

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

hitherto

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

hypothesis

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

inclination

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

instructed

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

introduce

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

knowledge

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

laws

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

managed

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

means

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

minutes

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

natural

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

obliged

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

owned

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

philosophynounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/

The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

points

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

population

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

position

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

pressure

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

principles

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

put

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

reasonable

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

recall

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

regard

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

ruins

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

sea

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

shortening

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

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

slumbers

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

some

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

sound

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

strange

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

theory

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

unable

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.

up

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

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It must be owned that the captain’s slumbers were by no means sound; he was agitated by the consciousness that he had hitherto been unable to account for his strange experiences by any reasonable theory.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading In a few minutes the governor general and his population were asleep.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Though far from being advanced in the knowledge of natural philosophy, he had been instructed, to a certain degree, in its elementary principles; and, by an effort of memory, he managed to recall some general laws which he had almost forgotten.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The gourbi being in ruins, they were obliged to put up with the best accommodation they could find in the adjacent erection.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He could understand that an altered inclination of the earth’s axis with regard to the ecliptic would introduce a change of position in the cardinal points, and bring about a displacement of the sea; but the hypothesis entirely failed to account, either for the shortening of the days, or for the diminution in the pressure of the atmosphere.