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The Dark Star
The Dark Star

Chapter XIX

Cover illustration for The Dark Star
Context Illustration Reading 1/59 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.
The sun had set and the air in the room had grown cold.
He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.
He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.
In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.
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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.

The Dark Star

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/59 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.
Line 2
The sun had set and the air in the room had grown cold.
Line 3
He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.
Line 4
He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.
Line 5
In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.”

Chilly adjective US /ˈtʃɪli/

unpleasantly cold

From this reading “He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.”

Silver noun US /silver/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.”

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 He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.

add

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

agreeable

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

From this reading He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.

air

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

From this reading The sun had set and the air in the room had grown cold.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The sun had set and the air in the room had grown cold.

any

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

appeared

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

aside

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.

broth

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

bunk

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/

unpleasantly cold

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

cold

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

From this reading The sun had set and the air in the room had grown cold.

corridor

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

cup

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

cupful

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

From this reading He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.

decidedly

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

desirability

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

desire

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

dinner

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

discovered

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

door

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

down

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

drank

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

eat

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

edge

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

fact

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

feel

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

felt

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

flavour

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

further

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

grown

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

From this reading The sun had set and the air in the room had grown cold.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

hot

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

hungry

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

minutes

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

palate

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

From this reading He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.

particularly

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

Perhaps

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

piping

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

possibly

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

pushed

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

RADIO

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

room

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

From this reading The sun had set and the air in the room had grown cold.

sat

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

seasoning

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

From this reading He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.

set

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

From this reading The sun had set and the air in the room had grown cold.

silver

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

some

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

soup

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

sun

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

From this reading The sun had set and the air in the room had grown cold.

swallowed

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

From this reading He had swallowed about half a cupful before he discovered that the seasoning was not agreeable to his palate.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

tureen

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

twenty

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

unappetising

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

uncovered

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

unpleasant

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

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.

warm

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

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He felt chilly; and, when he uncovered the silver tureen and discovered that the soup was still piping hot, he drank some of it to warm himself.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading BY RADIO Perhaps it was because he did not feel particularly hungry that his dinner appeared unappetising; possibly because it had been standing in the corridor outside his door for twenty minutes, which did not add to its desirability.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading In fact, the flavour of the hot broth was so decidedly unpleasant that he pushed aside the cup and sat down on the edge of his bunk without any further desire to eat anything.