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The Mysterious Island
The Mysterious Island

Chapter V

Cover illustration for The Mysterious Island
Context Illustration Reading 1/74 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.
The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.
The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.
Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.
The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.
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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 Mysterious Island

Chapter V

Reading 1/74 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.
Line 2
The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.
Line 3
The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.
Line 4
Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.
Line 5
The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.”

Decline noun US /dɪˈklaɪn/

a gradual loss of health and strength

From this reading “The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.”

Violent noun US /ˈviolent/

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

From this reading “The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.”

All words in this reading · 61

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 Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

absorbed

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

From this reading The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.

approach

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

From this reading The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

arms

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

aspect

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

black

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

Chimneys

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

From this reading Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.

clearly

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

cloud

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

crossed

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

day

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

From this reading The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.

declinenounUS /dɪˈklaɪn/

a gradual loss of health and strength

From this reading The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.

deeply

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

From this reading The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

east

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

entered

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

From this reading Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

gazing

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

Gideon

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

Herbert

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

From this reading Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

horizon

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

increased

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

From this reading The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.

latter

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

From this reading The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

lost

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

motionless

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

Pencroft

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

From this reading Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.

rapidly

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

reporter

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

From this reading Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.

sea

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

see

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

From this reading The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

shore

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

sky

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

Spilett

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

spreading

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

storm

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

strong

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

From this reading The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.

symptoms

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

thick

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

threatening

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

violentnounUS /ˈviolent/

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

visible

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

whole

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

From this reading The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.

zenith

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

From this reading Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.