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

Chapter XXIII · The Astronomer

Cover illustration for Off on a Comet! A Journey Through Planetary Space
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.
On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.
Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.
Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?
The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Off on a Comet! A Journey Through Planetary Space

Chapter XXIII · The Astronomer

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.
Line 2
On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.
Line 3
Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.
Line 4
Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?
Line 5
The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!””

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.”

Details noun US /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading “On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.”

Third noun US /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?”

Uttered noun US /ˈuttered/

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

From this reading “The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!””

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?”

All words in this reading · 112

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 By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

alike

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

all

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

any

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

approach

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

arrived

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

ascertained

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

astronomer

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

From this reading The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

author

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

believing

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

calculated

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

carrier-pigeon

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

character

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

comet

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

From this reading The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”

conclusions

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

contribution

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

conveying

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

Count

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

data

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

diminution

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

discoveries

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

distance

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

documents

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

earth

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

elapse

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

established

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

estimated

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

exhausted

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

expedition

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

Formentera

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

friends

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

Gallia

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

Gallia's

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

hand

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

hesitate

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

individual

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

intelligible

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

From this reading The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”

interest

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

knowledge

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

known

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

learning

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

lying

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

Manifestly

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

most

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

movements

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

only

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

From this reading The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”

orbit

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

paramount

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

picked

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

population

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

possible

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

raised

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

recently

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

reckon

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

return

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

sea

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

show

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

some

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

speed

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

statement

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

sun

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

tangential

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

there

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

thirdnounUS /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

thirty-six

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

Timascheff

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

total

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

true

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

two

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

unsigned

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

up

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

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

utterednounUS /ˈuttered/

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

From this reading The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading By the return of the expedition, conveying its contribution from Formentera, the known population of Gallia was raised to a total of thirty-six.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Manifestly, he had arrived at some knowledge of Gallia’s movements: he had estimated her distance from the sun; he had calculated the diminution of her tangential speed; but there was nothing to show that he had arrived at the conclusions which were of the most paramount interest to them all.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading On learning the details of his friends’ discoveries, Count Timascheff did not hesitate in believing that the exhausted individual who was lying before him was the author alike of the two unsigned documents picked up at sea, and of the third statement so recently brought to hand by the carrier-pigeon.

words

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

From this reading The only intelligible words which the astronomer had uttered had been, “My comet!”

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Had he ascertained the true character of her orbit? had he established any data from which it would be possible to reckon what time must elapse before she would again approach the earth?