Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Star Hunter
Star Hunter

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Star Hunter
Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ACE BOOKS, INC.
Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.
Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.
He understood.
Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Star Hunter

Chapter I

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ACE BOOKS, INC.
Line 2
Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.
Line 3
Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.
Line 4
He understood.
Line 5
Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.”

BOOKS noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “ACE BOOKS, INC.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

ACE

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

From this reading ACE BOOKS, INC.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

age-old

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

belly-path

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

black

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

BOOKSnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading ACE BOOKS, INC.

border

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

bowl

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

cloudless

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

coil

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

coiled

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

companion

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

evil

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

globe

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

greenish

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

ground

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

hatred

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

House

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

huge

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

Hume

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

INC

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

From this reading ACE BOOKS, INC.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

larger

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

like

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

made

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

Mankind's

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

moon

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

Nahuatl's

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

native

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

pattern

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

paused

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

planet

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

Pleasure

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

pursued

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

Ras

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

scales

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

scented

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

serpent

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

serpents

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

sky

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

smaller

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

speckled

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

spike-flowers

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

stars

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

symbolized

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

terrace

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

top

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

twisted

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

understood

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

From this reading He understood.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mankind's age-old hatred, brought from his native planet to the distant stars, was evil symbolized by a coil in a twisted, belly-path across the ground.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Nahuatl's larger moon pursued the smaller, greenish globe of its companion across a cloudless sky in which the stars made a speckled pattern like the scales of a huge serpent coiled around a black bowl.

why

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.

wonder

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

From this reading Ras Hume paused at the border of scented spike-flowers on the top terrace of the Pleasure House to wonder why he thought of serpents.