Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Great White Queen
The Great White Queen

Chapter XXXIV

Cover illustration for The Great White Queen
Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
LIOLA'S DISCOVERY.
WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.
No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.
He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.
Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.
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.

The Great White Queen

Chapter XXXIV

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

Line 1
LIOLA'S DISCOVERY.
Line 2
WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.
Line 3
No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.
Line 4
He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.
Line 5
Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.”

Seeing noun US /seeing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.”

Snatch noun US /snatch/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.”

Throat noun US /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading “WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.”

Unarmed noun US /ˈunarmed/

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

From this reading “He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

age

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

all

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

Arabs

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

assistance

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

blade

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

bound

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

clutching

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

compelled

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

conflict

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

desperately

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

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

DISCOVERY

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

From this reading LIOLA'S DISCOVERY.

dropped

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

encounter

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

endeavour

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

enemies

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

fell

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

few

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

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

fierce

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

fiercely

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

fingers

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

give

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

grip

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

intention

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

leader

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

like

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

LIOLA'S

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

From this reading LIOLA'S DISCOVERY.

moments

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

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

muscular

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

near

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

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

notwithstanding

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

obtaining

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

Once

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

possession

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

resolved

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

Samory

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

seeing

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

shouting

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

side

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

snatchnounUS /snatch/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

sprang

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

spring

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

stooped

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

struggled

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

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

swiftly

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

sword

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

throatnounUS /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

tightened

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

unarmednounUS /ˈunarmed/

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

unfortunately

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

up

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

victory

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately.

weapon

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.

wiry

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

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Once Samory, wiry and muscular like all Arabs, notwithstanding his age, stooped swiftly in an endeavour to snatch up the blade, but seeing his intention, my fingers tightened their grip upon his throat, and he was compelled to spring up again without obtaining possession of the weapon.

wrestle

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

From this reading He was unarmed, and I, having unfortunately dropped my sword in the encounter, our conflict resolved itself into a fierce wrestle for the possession of the weapon which must give victory to the one into whose hands it fell.