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The Killer
The Killer

Chapter XXXVI

Cover illustration for The Killer
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.
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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 Killer

Chapter XXXVI

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
Line 2
Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
Line 3
The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
Line 4
A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
Line 5
A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.

Learner Dictionary

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

Exposed adjective US /ɪkˈspəʊzd/

left open to danger or view left open to danger or public view

From this reading “The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

ADVENTURE

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.

always

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

arrangements

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

From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.

bare

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

battered

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

boards

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

buggy

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

chickens

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

completed

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

From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.

Continually

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

corral

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

From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.

cottonwoods

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

dwelt

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

everywhere

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.

exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspəʊzd/

left open to danger or view left open to danger or public view

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

four-by-fours

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

friends

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.

fully

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

ground

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.

houses

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.

Jim

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.

likely

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

middle

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

more

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

new

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

numerous

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

perched

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

perhaps

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

poplars

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

protected

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

pulling

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

rough

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

From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.

SEARCH

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.

settlers

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

shacks

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

shed

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

small

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

sun

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

surrounded

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

thills

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

tiny

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

trifling

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

two-roomed

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

Uncle

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.

unpainted

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.

up

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

wheels

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

wherein

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

From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.

windmill

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

From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.

young

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

From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.