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Ready About

Chapter VI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A VICTIM OF STRATEGY.
Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.
They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.
He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.
It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.
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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.

Ready About

Chapter VI

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A VICTIM OF STRATEGY.
Line 2
Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.
Line 3
They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.
Line 4
He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.
Line 5
It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

Learner Dictionary

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

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading “It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.”

Robbers noun US /ˈrɒb.ərz/

Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.

From this reading “It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.”

Track noun US /træk/

a route or signs showing the way someone went

From this reading “It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 A VICTIM OF STRATEGY.

active

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

Almost

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

bay

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

boat

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

breakfast-table

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

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

burglars

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

came

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

clew

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

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.

Dornwood

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

Dory

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

embarked

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

gone

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

got

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

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

heard

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

likely

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

From this reading They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.

lost

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

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

miles

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

moment

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A VICTIM OF STRATEGY.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

relate

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

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

road

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

From this reading They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.

robbersnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/

Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

sound

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

startled

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

STRATEGY

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

From this reading A VICTIM OF STRATEGY.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

then

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

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.

three

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat.

tracknounUS /træk/

a route or signs showing the way someone went

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.

two

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

VICTIM

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

From this reading A VICTIM OF STRATEGY.

villains

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

voice

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

From this reading He had heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the villains might be two or three miles from him by this time.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading It would not be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the clew to them.