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The Man Who Laughs
The Man Who Laughs

Chapter X

Cover illustration for The Man Who Laughs
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
OUR FIRST ROUGH SKETCHES FILLED IN.
While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.
The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.
There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.
In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.
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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 Man Who Laughs

Chapter X

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
OUR FIRST ROUGH SKETCHES FILLED IN.
Line 2
While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.
Line 3
The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.
Line 4
There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.
Line 5
In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

Learner Dictionary

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

Crew noun US /crew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.”

FIRST noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “OUR FIRST ROUGH SKETCHES FILLED IN.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.”

Twilight noun US /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading “In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.”

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 The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

all

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

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

almost

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

Biscayan

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

board

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

broadens

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

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

clear

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

clearly

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

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

cliff

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

closely

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

crewnounUS /crew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

day

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

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

effect

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

felucca

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

figures

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

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

FILLED

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

From this reading OUR FIRST ROUGH SKETCHES FILLED IN.

FIRSTnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading OUR FIRST ROUGH SKETCHES FILLED IN.

gloomy

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

gulf

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

hooker

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

hugged

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading OUR FIRST ROUGH SKETCHES FILLED IN.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

light

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

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

men

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

ocean

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

OURdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading OUR FIRST ROUGH SKETCHES FILLED IN.

passengers

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

Portland

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

possible

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

ROUGH

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

From this reading OUR FIRST ROUGH SKETCHES FILLED IN.

screen

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

sea

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

served

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

seven

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

SKETCHES

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

From this reading OUR FIRST ROUGH SKETCHES FILLED IN.

sky

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

ten

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

there

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

three

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

two

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

vessel

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

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

visible

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

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In the light of the open sea (which broadens twilight into day) all the figures on board were clearly visible.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The wind took little effect on the vessel; the hooker hugged the cliff as closely as possible; it served as a screen to her.

women

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

From this reading There were ten on board the little Biscayan felucca--three men in crew, and seven passengers, of whom two were women.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading While the hooker was in the gulf of Portland, there was but little sea on; the ocean, if gloomy, was almost still, and the sky was yet clear.