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

Chapter XXXVI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was as the professor had said.
From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.
That deceitful steelyard had been the mainspring of his fortune.
But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.
No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.
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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 XXXVI

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was as the professor had said.
Line 2
From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.
Line 3
That deceitful steelyard had been the mainspring of his fortune.
Line 4
But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.
Line 5
No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.”

Fortune noun US /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading “That deceitful steelyard had been the mainspring of his fortune.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.”

Per preposition US /pɜːr/

for each

From this reading “No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.”

All words in this reading · 84

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

750

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

all

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was as the professor had said.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

become

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

career

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

carried

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

cent

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

character

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

compelled

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

confession

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

day

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

dealings

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

deceitful

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

From this reading That deceitful steelyard had been the mainspring of his fortune.

dishonesty

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

entered

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

extorted

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

false

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

five

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading That deceitful steelyard had been the mainspring of his fortune.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

fruits

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

grammes

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

groaned

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was as the professor had said.

Hakkabut

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

instead

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

Isaac

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was as the professor had said.

just

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

kilogramme

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

less

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

lot

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

mainspring

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

From this reading That deceitful steelyard had been the mainspring of his fortune.

mercantile

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

much

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

only

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

own

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

perprepositionUS /pɜːr/

for each

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

professor

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

From this reading It was as the professor had said.

purchaser

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

reap

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

said

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

From this reading It was as the professor had said.

sold

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

spirit

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

steelyard

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

From this reading That deceitful steelyard had been the mainspring of his fortune.

studied

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

supposed

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

system

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was as the professor had said.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

true

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

twenty

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

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

vendor

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

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was as the professor had said.

weight

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

From this reading From the day that Isaac Hakkabut had entered upon his mercantile career, his dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weight.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him, that for every supposed kilogramme that he had ever sold the true weight was only 750 grammes, or just five and twenty per cent. less than it ought to have been.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had groaned within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty.