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Over the Border: A Romance
Over the Border: A Romance

Chapter XXX · Victory

Cover illustration for Over the Border: A Romance
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.
If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.
With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.
They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.
Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Over the Border: A Romance

Chapter XXX · Victory

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.
Line 2
If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.
Line 3
With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.
Line 4
They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.
Line 5
Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.”

Bearings plural noun US /ˈberɪŋz/

directions used to locate a place, especially at sea

From this reading “They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.”

Despite preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.”

Journey noun US /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading “With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.”

Saved noun US /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

advantage

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

all

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

animals

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

any

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

Armstrong

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

ask

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

bearingsplural nounUS /ˈberɪŋz/

directions used to locate a place, especially at sea

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

blazing

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

case

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

chance

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

comer

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

conclusion

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

country

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

day

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

departure

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

DespiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

direction

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

discouraged

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

discussed

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

exception

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

fire

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

fugitive

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

horses

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

knew

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

melancholy

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

more

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

mud

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

night

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

night's

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

now

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

other

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

Oxford

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

previous

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

race

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

rain

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

reasonably

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

riders

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

safer

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

savednounUS /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

silent

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

situation

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

stiff

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

struggle

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

success

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

there

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

tired

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

together

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

From this reading With the exception of the departure from Oxford, the riders were more silent and melancholy than at any other time during their journey together.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading If the situation was to be saved by a race, there seemed little chance of success with animals so tired and discouraged.

well

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Armstrong was now in a country that he knew reasonably well, and he had no need to ask his direction from any chance comer, which was an advantage to a fugitive.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Despite the night’s rest, the horses were stiff after the long struggle with rain and mud the day before.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading They had discussed the case in all its bearings the previous night, before the blazing fire, and had come to the conclusion that it would be safer to part.