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Ready About
Ready About

Chapter XVI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE.
Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.
They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.
They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.
They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.
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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 XVI

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE.
Line 2
Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.
Line 3
They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.
Line 4
They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.
Line 5
They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

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 “They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

ability

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

any

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

beer

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

belonged

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

BOARD

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

From this reading ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE.

boozy

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

From this reading They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

Club

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

deprived

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

Dornwood

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

Dory

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

doubt

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

easy

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

energy

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

furious

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

gone

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

heavy

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

hung

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

imbibed

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

instructor

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

intoxicated

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

From this reading They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.

job

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

keg

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

LA

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

From this reading ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

mechanics

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

members

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

MOTTE

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

From this reading ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE.

natural

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

Nautifelers

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.

obtained

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

other

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

Perhaps

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

pluck

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

principal

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

reason

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

school

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

seem

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

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

sense

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

From this reading They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.

shore

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

soaked

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

storm

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

stupid

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

From this reading They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

three

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

two

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

victory

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading They had imbibed from the keg until they were deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for themselves.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm hung heavy on their hands.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

why

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

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of them were soaked with beer.

word

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

From this reading They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.

worst

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

From this reading They were not intoxicated in the worst sense of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid.