Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Zeppelin's Passenger
The Zeppelin's Passenger

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for The Zeppelin's Passenger
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.
It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.
A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.
Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.
“Captain Griffiths, your ladyship.”
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 Zeppelin's Passenger

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.
Line 2
It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.
Line 3
A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.
Line 4
Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.
Line 5
“Captain Griffiths, your ladyship.”

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.”

Booming noun US /ˈbooming/

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

From this reading “It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading ““Captain Griffiths, your ladyship.””

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.”

Subterranean adjective US /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/

Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.

From this reading “It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

almost

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

also

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

anxiety

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

artillery

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

Ben

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

blurred

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

boat

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

boisterous

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

boomingnounUS /ˈbooming/

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

bringing

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

came

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “Captain Griffiths, your ladyship.”

chances

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

chaos

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

cliffwards

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

crest

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

curious

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

dashed

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

discussed

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

distracted

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

down

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

fishermen

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

following

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

French

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

gathering

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

gazing

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

grey

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

Griffiths

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

From this reading “Captain Griffiths, your ladyship.”

group

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

Haul

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

ladyship

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

From this reading “Captain Griffiths, your ladyship.”

leaned

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

like

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

Mainsail

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

o'clock

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

Oates

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

oilskins

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

Philippa

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

railing

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

rumble

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

safely

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

From this reading A little group of fishermen in oilskins leaned over the railing and discussed the chances of Ben Oates bringing his boat in safely.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

settled

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

some

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

spaces

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

spray

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

subterraneanadjectiveUS /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/

Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

things

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

three

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

tore

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

TowardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

uncertain

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

waves

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

window

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

From this reading Philippa, also, distracted by a curious anxiety, stood before the blurred window, gazing into what seemed almost a grey chaos.

windows

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

From this reading It tore the spray from the crest of the gathering waves, dashed it even against the French windows of Mainsail Haul, and came booming down the open spaces cliffwards, like the rumble of some subterranean artillery.

worse

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

From this reading Towards three o'clock on the following afternoon, the boisterous wind of an uncertain morning settled down to worse things.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Captain Griffiths, your ladyship.”