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The Dumpling
The Dumpling

Chapter XI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE MAN WITH GORILLA ARMS.
The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.
He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.
Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.
Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Dumpling

Chapter XI

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE MAN WITH GORILLA ARMS.
Line 2
The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.
Line 3
He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.
Line 4
Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.
Line 5
Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.”

Directly noun US /ˈdirectly/

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

From this reading “Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.”

Hence adverb US /hens/

for this reason

From this reading “Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.”

Saved noun US /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

all

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

From this reading Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

antagonist

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

ARMS

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

From this reading THE MAN WITH GORILLA ARMS.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

batter-pudding

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

blow

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

brains

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

disabled

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

From this reading Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

Dumpling

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

enormously

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

EvennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

fallen

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

From this reading Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

gash

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

GORILLA

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

From this reading THE MAN WITH GORILLA ARMS.

graze

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

happened

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

head

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

heavily

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

height

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

HenceadverbUS /hens/

for this reason

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

inches

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

inflict

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

intended

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

killed

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

lead

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

less

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

life-preserver

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

loaded

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

made

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

MAN

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

From this reading THE MAN WITH GORILLA ARMS.

many

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

more

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

nasty

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

only

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

outright

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

probability

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

From this reading Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

savednounUS /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

shoulder

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

From this reading Even had the blow fallen directly on my shoulder, I should in all probability have been disabled for the rest of my life.

skin-wound

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

stature

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

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

strong

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

superior

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

taken

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

tall

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

temple

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had struck at me with a life-preserver heavily loaded with lead, but being many inches less in stature than I, he had struck short.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE MAN WITH GORILLA ARMS.

very

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

wasn't

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Hence the blow which, had it taken me directly on the head, as intended, would have made a very batter-pudding of my brains, did no more than inflict a nasty skin-wound, more of a graze than a gash, above one temple.

WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE MAN WITH GORILLA ARMS.

wonder

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The only wonder is that I wasn't killed outright, as would have happened had my antagonist been as tall as I. But enormously strong as the Dumpling was, my superior height saved my life.