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The Fire People
The Fire People

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The Fire People
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Author of "The Golden Atom," etc.
The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.
It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.
Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.
This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.
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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 Fire People

Chapter I

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Author of "The Golden Atom," etc.
Line 2
The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.
Line 3
It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.
Line 4
Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.
Line 5
This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.”

All words in this reading · 70

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

11th

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

1940

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

From this reading The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

American

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

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

apparently

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

Argentine

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

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

Astronomically

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

Atom

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

From this reading Author of "The Golden Atom," etc.

Author

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

From this reading Author of "The Golden Atom," etc.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

Brookline

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

daybreak

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

discovered

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

earth

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

From this reading The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.

etc

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

From this reading Author of "The Golden Atom," etc.

event

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

fading

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

farmer

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

few

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

field

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

Golden

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

From this reading Author of "The Golden Atom," etc.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

Harvard

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

hours

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.

increasing

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

invisibility

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

landed

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

From this reading The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.

magnitude

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

Massachusetts

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

meteors

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

From this reading The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

near

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

new

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

From this reading The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.

North

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

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

November

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

From this reading The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.

observatories

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

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

observatory

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "The Golden Atom," etc.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The first of the new meteors landed on the earth in November, 1940.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

other

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

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

power

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

rapidly

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

recorded

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

Republic

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

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

shortly

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

space

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

star

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Author of "The Golden Atom," etc.

then

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.

two

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

From this reading This star was recorded by two of the other great North American observatories, and by one in the Argentine Republic.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was discovered by a farmer in his field near Brookline, Massachusetts, shortly after daybreak on the morning of the 11th.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Astronomically, the event was recorded by the observatory at Harvard as the sudden appearance of what apparently was a new star, increasing in the short space of a few hours from invisibility to a power beyond that of the first magnitude, and then as rapidly fading again to invisibility.