Vocabulary ladder

Heart of Darkness

Part I

False friends156 entries

You know these words. In this book they mean something else.

still×11
without moving
a pilot
a man whose job is steering ships through a river mouth, not a flyer
yarns×2
long stories told for pleasure, not thread
convictions
firm beliefs, not court sentences
only×14
the single one there was
aspect×3
the look on a face, not a part or a side of something
the race that peopled its banks
the men and women who had lived along its sides for hundreds of years
flush
a sudden spread of warm colour across the sky
august
grand and commanding respect, not the month
the rest of home
the quiet and safety of home, where 'rest' means sleep
germs
first beginnings, not anything to do with illness
stir×2
busy movement, not the mixing sense
monstrous
enormous in size; here the word is about how big it is
his class
the sort of men he belonged to, not a room of pupils
an episode
one stretch of what happened to him, not part of a television series
moonshine
the light of the moon, not home-made alcohol
presently×2
soon after, not 'at present'
stores
supplies of food and goods, not shops
the bush×3
wild uncleared country, not a single plant
utter
complete and total, not to speak
account
not worth much; 'account' here is worth, not a bank record
administration×2
their way of governing the place, not office paperwork
you want only
you need only
very proper
exactly right and fitting, not a matter of good manners
tackle
attack and fight, not a move in football
means×3
amounts to
that game
that business of looking for work, not something played for fun
patch
a small area of a different colour, not a piece sewn onto cloth
mighty
very; here the word only makes the next one stronger
a big concern
a large business, not a worry
craft
boats, not skill with the hands
fresh water
river water, not salty sea water
charmed
held still as if by a spell, the way a snake is said to hold a bird
concern×2
a business, not a worry
Trading society
a trading company, not a group of friends
relations
family members, not links between things
own
admit, not possess
worry them
keep pressing and bothering them, not make them anxious
departure
a new way of doing things, not a leaving
soul
person; here it does not mean the spirit inside
the Administration
the officials who govern out there
determined
fixed on doing it, not 'found out by measuring'
my fancy
what I wanted, not something imaginary
my appointment
the job I had been given, not a meeting time
recover
get back, not get well again
hammer
beat with heavy blows, not the tool
charge
command; here it is the engineer who is left running the ship
trouble
bother themselves, not feel anxious
remains
a dead body, not what is left over from a meal
affair×4
business, not a love affair
fairly
properly and fully, not 'quite a lot'
Dead in the centre
exactly in the middle, and 'dead' is doing the work of 'exactly'
the sanctuary
the holiest inner room of a temple; here, the private office at the far end
I fancy×4
I think, not I like
ceremonies
formal official business of this kind, not weddings
lap
the flat top of the legs when sitting, not a circuit of a track
a starched white affair
a stiff white cap; 'affair' here just means 'thing'
spectacles
eye-glasses, not a grand show
indifferent
not caring either way, not 'rather poor'
resolution
a strong and settled will, not a decision written down
produced
took out and showed, not made
ask leave
ask for permission, not for time away
Famous
excellent -- an old use of the word
that original
that odd character; here the word means a person, not the first of something
confidences
private things said between two people, not self-belief
represented
described to people, not standing in for anyone
rot
nonsense, not anything going bad
queer
strange or odd
blamed
a mild swear word, roughly 'damned'; nothing to do with fault
mean
poor and shabby to look at, not cruel
savage
wild and never worked on by people; not an attack
shed×4
a small rough building, not to drop something
uniform×4
the same all the way along, not clothing
the toil of
caught inside the net of; here the word means a trap, not hard work
a positive pleasure
a real and definite pleasure; 'positive' here means certain
swell
the slow rise and fall of the sea, not growing bigger
proceeding
the thing being done, not moving forward
impotent
with no power to do anything about it
the mouth of the big river
the place where the big river runs out into the sea
fair
light-haired, not just or reasonable
cried×3
called out loudly, not wept
turned-up
dug out of the ground and thrown into heaps
projected
stuck out over the water; nothing to do with plans
wound
wrapped round and round; nothing to do with an injury
report
the bang of an explosion, not a written account
his charge
the men he was set to guard, not a price or an attack
trust×2
the important job he had been given, not a feeling
tender
easily moved to pity, nothing to do with food
divine
guess it or reason it out; nothing to do with God
trunks×2
the thick main stems of trees, not boxes
attitudes
the positions their bodies were in, not their opinions
mine
an explosive charge set in the rock, not a place to dig for metal
vacant
empty of any expression, not 'with nobody in it'
tell×5
know
a charm
an object worn to keep harm away, not pleasant manners
pose
the position a body is held in, not to ask a question
vision
something seen that is not really there, not eyesight
sport
wear and show off, not play a game
devoted
giving all his care to it
his books
the account books he wrote the money records in
Strings of
long lines of
the interior
the inland part of the country, not the inside of a room
in charge of×3
running, in command of
A caravan
a line of people travelling together on foot with loads, not a vehicle
row
a loud noise and quarrelling; the word rhymes with 'cow' here
finished
near death, with no strength left in him
insensible
unconscious and aware of nothing, not 'foolish'
caravan×2
a line of people travelling together on foot with loads, not a vehicle
appealing
calling out for something, not 'pleasing'
the whole concern
the whole business of it, not a worry
anxious
keen, not worried
crazy
badly made and falling apart, not mad
retired out of sight
went away where they could not be seen; nothing to do with stopping work
stout×2
thick and heavy in body, not brave
curious×3
strange, not 'wanting to know'
unconscious
done without his knowing it, not knocked out
common
ordinary, not 'shared by everyone'
inspired×3
made people feel, not filled with good ideas
faculty
a power a man has in him, not part of a university
learning
knowledge got from books, not the act of studying
terms
stretches of time served out there, not conditions in an agreement
conviction
a belief he held firmly, not a court sentence
civil
polite, not to do with citizens
relieved
supplied with fresh men and stores, not made to feel better
very grave, very grave
very serious; nothing to do with a burial place
I was getting savage
I was getting very angry
nicety
how exactly right it was -- the word here means fine accuracy, not kindness
fantastic
unreal, like something out of a dream, not 'wonderful'
consume
burn up completely, not eat or buy
intriguing
plotting secretly, not 'interesting'
intrigued
plotted secretly, not 'made curious'
awfully
very, extremely
yawned
opened his mouth wide, the way a tired man does
It arrested me
it stopped me where I stood; nothing to do with police
We want
we need
my disposition
my character, not an arrangement of things
creek×3
a narrow arm of water running off the river
rank
grown thick and coarse, not a position or a smell
an appeal
a call for help, not something pleasing
dumb
unable to speak, not stupid
a vain attempt
an attempt that cannot succeed, nothing to do with pride
no relation of a dream
no telling of a dream; 'relation' here means an account, not a family member
revolt
a struggling against it inside yourself, not an uprising
reflecting
thinking it over, not throwing back light
sensible
having good sense, not 'able to feel'
cases×2
wooden boxes, not situations
confidential
opening up and telling private things, not marked secret
apprehend
understand, not arrest
mechanics
men who work on machines, not the way a thing works
serviette
a table napkin; here he ties one round his beard
the virgin forest
forest never cut or cleared; the word here means untouched
flight
running away, not flying
This devoted band
this group given over to one purpose; nothing to do with love
are wanted
are needed
a safe
a strong metal box for keeping money in, not the opposite of dangerous
enterprise
a bold undertaking, not a business firm

Idioms189 entries

Fixed expressions with a settled meaning of their own. Worth learning once.

the only thing for it
the only choice left
the best of old fellows
a very good man
fit for nothing but
able to do nothing except
the uttermost ends of the earth
the farthest places in the world
as the phrase goes
as people say
followed the sea×2
made his living working on ships
to and fro×2
one way and then back again
For the rest
apart from that
in the likeness of
in the shape of
took the trouble to
bothered to
or what you like
or anything else you care to name
precious little
very little indeed
dying like flies
dying in great numbers, one after another
in his time
in his younger days
keeping his eye on
always watching for
by and by×4
after a while
in the train of
travelling as part of someone's party
mend his fortunes
get his money back after losing it
goes to work upon him
begins to change him from the inside
Mind
pay attention to this
for the sake of
in order to get
on a great scale
in very large amounts
going at it blind
doing it without looking at what they were doing
at the back of it
lying behind it and holding it up
for a bit
for a short while
throw a kind of light on
make things clearer
I should think
in my opinion
Now
a way of starting a story, not 'at this moment'
lose myself in
forget everything else while doing it
Well,×4
a word that picks the story up again, not 'in a good way'
so to speak×3
to put it roughly
Dash it all!
a mild swear, roughly 'damn it'
get charge of
be put in command of
went my own road
did things my own way
on my own legs
without help from anyone
had a mind to
wanted to
by hook or by crook
by any means at all, fair or not
make no end of fuss
make a great deal of noise and trouble about it
in the bargain
in the deal they had made
in the least×2
even slightly
creature that ever walked on two legs
man who ever lived
stepped into his shoes
took over his job
let it rest
leave the matter alone
sure enough
just as you would expect
What became of
What happened in the end to
flew around like mad
rushed about wildly
full of it
talking about nothing else
make no end of coin
earn a great deal of money
getting out of her way
stepping aside for her
a deuce of a lot
a very great deal
I should judge
I would guess
back and forth
one way and then the other
by a long way
far fewer than half of them
with an air of
looking as though he felt
cool and collected
calm and in control of himself
all at once
suddenly
felt my pulse
put his fingers on my wrist to count the beat of my heart
in the interests of science
to help science learn more
going out there
travelling to that far-off country
a searching glance
a long hard look, as if trying to see inside me
in a matter-of-fact tone
as if it were an ordinary question
on the spot×2
right there, in the place itself
In the course of
during
goodness knows
nobody could say
upon my word×2
an expression of surprise, roughly 'honestly'
ventured to hint
dared to suggest
go to pieces
fall apart completely
at twenty-four hours’ notice
with only a day's warning
now and then×2
sometimes
all along
the whole length of
upward of
more than
the seat of the government
the town the government is based in
had my passage
had bought my place on board
becomes of
happens in the end to
in God’s name
said in shock, roughly 'but why, of all things?'
in the way
blocking anything
in a file
one behind another in a line
kept time with
came at the same moment as each step
by no stretch of imagination
not in any possible way
could not tell
could not see who was who
get out of sight
go where I could no longer see them
by all the stars!
a shout of surprise, roughly 'I could not believe it'
I tell you
believe me
become acquainted with
get to know
free as air
with nothing holding them at all
at full length
stretched right out
from beyond the seas
from far away across the ocean
on all-fours×2
on his hands and knees
made haste
hurried
took him for
at first thought he was
to get a breath of fresh air
to step outside for a moment
That’s backbone.
that takes real strength of character
could not help asking
could not stop myself from asking
in apple-pie order
perfectly neat, every thing in its place
in a muddle
in complete disorder
put together
added up as one total
in a great peace
in a deep quiet, with no other sound
tell him from me
give him this message from me
go far
become important, get a big position
a somebody
an important man
before long
soon
mean him to be
want him to become one
ablaze with heat
burning hot
took to travelling
started travelling
right and left
on every side
Still
even so
dead in harness
dead where he stood, still at his work
not to say
or rather
couldn’t help asking
could not stop myself from asking
the shadow of a carrier
not even a trace of one of the carriers
to no purpose
none of that matters here
was running that show
was in charge of the place
at once
straight away
from his youth up
ever since he was young
in these parts
in this part of the world
rioted on a large scale
spent wildly on drink and pleasure
with a difference
but not quite the same thing
laid low
knocked down and left helpless
the rest were nowhere
everyone else counted for nothing
under his very eyes
right in front of him, while he watched
in jeopardy
in danger
rang in the air
was heard again and again everywhere
By Jove!
an old cry of surprise, roughly 'unbelievable'
struck me as
seemed to me
the passing away of
the ending and disappearance of
burst into a blaze
caught fire suddenly and completely
cutting capers
jumping about wildly
from the very first
from the very beginning
be that as it may
whether that is true or not
a bit reserved
quiet, not saying much about himself
on their side
and they in return
got into talk
started talking to each other
beguiled the time
passed the time
nothing came of it
nothing ever resulted from it
on that account
for that reason, over the money and nothing else
lifting a little finger
making the smallest effort
By heavens!
a cry of surprise
straight out
openly, in front of everyone
Very well
all right, fine
get at something
reach something he would not ask for directly
pumping me
working information out of me bit by bit
what I had in me
what I might have that he wanted
worth his while
worth the trouble he was taking
very pretty to see
a fine, amusing thing to watch
took me for
believed me to be
Tell me, pray
please say
in a short tone
in a sharp, unfriendly voice
Much obliged
thank you
devil knows what else
and nobody can say what besides
I dare-say
I expect
Light dawned upon me
I suddenly understood
Serve him right
he deserved it
for the future
from now on
Heap of muffs—go to
a pack of useless fools -- go away
in knots
in small tight groups
went home to one’s very heart
was felt deep inside him
fetched a deep sigh
drew one long breath out
mend my pace
walk faster
not a little
a great deal
by Jove
an old mild cry of surprise
on the face of
spread over the whole surface of
God knows
believe me, I had
dead sure
absolutely certain
as much as
even
would not have gone so far as to
would not actually have done it
straighter than the rest of us
more honest than other people
pitch dark
completely black
on the watch for
waiting and listening for
the powers that were behind me
the important people he was supposed to have supporting him
why,
a filler word, like 'well,'
by heaven
an old mild cry, roughly 'I swear it'
to stop the hole
to fill the hole in the boat's bottom so the water cannot get in
down at the coast
at the landing place by the sea, far away
at every second step
on one step out of every two
that would do
that were good enough
set that steamboat afloat
get the boat floating and working again
let alone
and certainly not
empty every rifle
fire off every bullet in every gun
on account of
because of
by trade
that was his trained job
scrambled to his feet
got up in a great hurry
as though he couldn’t believe his ears
as if he was too surprised to believe what he had heard
snapped his fingers
made a sharp click with finger and thumb
Why not, indeed!
the narrator agrees: there really was no reason they should not get them
trod on the heels of
followed close behind
sworn to secrecy
made to promise to tell nobody
I said Hang!
a curse, roughly 'to hell with it'
let things slide
stopped trying to keep them in order
climb to the top
rise to the highest place

Phrasal verbs81 entries

A verb and a small word that together mean something the two words do not.

come to
bring the boat to a stop and hold it there
go out
stop burning
came over
happened to
brought it out
made it show
gone through
suffered and survived
look into it
examine it closely
set up
stand upright in a place of honour
bow down before
bend low in front of, the way people do in worship
broke off
stopped speaking suddenly
looked on
watched without joining in
loafing about
passing the time doing nothing
The glamour’s off
it no longer looks exciting
shake off
get rid of
got out
arrived out there
let into
allowed to share in
propped up
resting on something that supported them
piloted over
guided across the room
led me forth
took me out
get hold of×2
meet
take charge of
be given command of
let loose
set free to spread
got carried off her feet
believed it all and was full of excitement about it
set it up
build it and make it real
start up
suddenly appear
knock the whole thing over
destroy the whole thing
clear out
leave in a hurry
called in
stopped at
showed up
could be seen
pounded along
pushed heavily onward
turn up
appear without warning
came upon×3
found by chance
stuck out
pointed outwards
let her down
lowered her again
called at
stopped for a short time at
goes on
keeps happening
ward off
keep away
grew upon me
slowly grew stronger in me
went on×2
kept talking
took up
picked up and carried
turned aside for
bent round to get past
fend off
push away an attack
blundered into
got into by accident, without meaning to
tumbled in
thrown down into it
went off
exploded
going on
still happening
died out
faded away to nothing
drawn up
pulled up close to the body
kept up his appearance
went on looking exactly as he should
giving it up
saying he could do no more
cleared out
gone away for good
coming to
waking up again
sneaked off
crept away without being seen
set about it
begin work on it
gave that secret away
never let anyone find it out
how they got on
how they were managing
kept on my feet
left standing the whole time
flung out of
rushed angrily out of
took it back
admitted I had been wrong to say it
borne in upon me
slowly forced on my mind
keep my hold on
stay in touch with
look about
look around you
came tearing down
ran at full speed
gone off
caught fire and burned itself out
recover himself
get his strength back
hung up
fixed on the wall
stood by
waited beside me
let him run on×2
let him keep talking
hauled up
dragged up out of the water
get on
do well and rise in the world
get on with
make progress with
turn out in a body
come out all together
lay hands on
reach out and take
strode off
walked away with long steps
come out a bit
show a little of what I could do
laze about
pass the time doing nothing
chummed with
became friendly with
rave about
talk on and on with great excitement
sit up
jump upright in bed
topple over
fall forward and down
shot down
dumped down
set about his work
begin his work

Noun phrases23 entries

A group of words naming a person or a thing, explained together.

half so
nearly as
spin yarns
tell long stories for pleasure
men enough
brave enough
brute force
nothing but raw strength
a hankering after
a longing to reach
Heavens!
a cry of surprise, roughly 'oh dear!'
downcast eyes
eyes turned down towards the ground
Good heavens!
a cry of surprise, roughly 'I can hardly believe it'
two-penny-half-penny
cheap and of no importance at all
no point of contact
nothing in common with them, nothing to share
The other day
a few days ago
an eternity
a very long time indeed
no end of rows
a great many quarrels
Jack ashore
a sailor on land spending everything he has
a good deal
a lot
facts of life
the plain ordinary realities of living
singleness of purpose
wanting one thing only, and never changing to something else
What a row
what a loud noise
the only way
the single way that works
a charmed life
a life that nothing can harm
tin-pot
cheap and worth nothing
an atom of
not the smallest trace of
that lot
that group

Words from other languages6 entries

_Bon Voyage_
French: have a good journey
_Ave!_
Latin: greetings -- the shout given to a ruler
_Morituri te salutant_
Latin: 'those who are about to die salute you' -- what fighters called out to the emperor before dying in the arena
messieurs
French: gentlemen
_Adieu_
French: goodbye
_Du calme, du calme_
French: keep calm, keep calm

Old word forms21 entries

Old forms of words you know. Learn them once.

amongst×6
among
for there is nothing
because there is nothing
be excepted
be left out of the count
what was to be got
whatever there was to take
an opportunity offered
a chance came
the while
all that time
as of
like the air of
Farewell
goodbye
all about
all around him
Thus
so
verily×2
truly
On my asking
when I asked
now my boat was lost
now that my boat was lost
for out there there were no
because out there there were no
intrusted×2
an old spelling; it means the job was put in his hands
where ivory was to be had
where ivory could be got
whence proceeded
from which came
for he judged it necessary
because he judged it necessary
I had rather
I would rather
for his beard
because his beard
And it moved not.
and it did not move

Words1032 entries

In the order you will meet them.

cruising yawl
a small sailing boat with two masts, built for pleasure tripsthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
swung to her anchor
turned slowly around the rope that held it to the river bedthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
flutter
a quick light shaking
sails
the big sheets of cloth that catch the wind and push a boat alongthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
The flood had made
the rising water had come all the way inthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
bound down the river
heading downstream, towards open waterthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
the turn of the tide
the moment the water stops running one way and starts the otherthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
sea-reach
the last long straight part of the river before it opens outthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
interminable
with no end you can see
waterway×2
a river or channel that boats travel along
In the offing
out on the open water, still within sightthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
luminous×2
full of light
tanned sails
cloth soaked in a brown dye so it would not rotan object or practice the period took for granted
barges
flat boats that carry goods along a riverthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
drifting
carried along slowly by the moving water
clusters
tight groups close together
canvas
the heavy cloth a ship spreads to catch the windthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
sharply peaked
coming up to a point at the top
gleams
short flashes of light
varnished sprits
poles that hold the cloth out, coated to make them shinethe working vocabulary of a trade or field
haze×2
thin mist hanging in the air
condensed
pressed together into something thicker
mournful×3
full of sadness
gloom×6
half-darkness
brooding×5
hanging heavy and low, as if full of dark thoughts
affectionately
with warm liking
the bows
the front end of the boatthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
seaward
in the direction of open water
nautical
belonging to ships and the sea
seaman×3
a man whose working life is on shipsthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
estuary
the wide mouth where a river runs into open water
tolerant
willing to accept things they did not agree with
virtues
good qualities
deck×3
the flat floor on top of a boatthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
rug
a thick cloth to lie or sit on
dominoes
a game played with small flat pieces marked with dotsan object or practice the period took for granted
cross-legged
sitting on the floor with each foot tucked under the other knee
aft×2
at the back end of the boatthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
mizzen-mast
the shorter of the two poles that hold the sails, standing nearer the backthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
sunken×2
fallen inwards, hollow
complexion×3
the colour of the skin of the face
ascetic
looking like a man who denies himself food and comfort
an idol
a stone or wooden figure that people pray to
lazily×2
slowly and with no effort
yacht
a boat kept for pleasure, not for work
meditative
deep in quiet thought
placid
calm and easy
serenity×2
complete calm
exquisite
finely and delicately beautiful
brilliance
great brightness
shone×2
gave back a steady light
pacifically
peacefully
speck×2
a tiny spot
benign
gentle and kindly
immensity×4
something so large it has no edge
unstained
with no mark on it anywhere
mist×2
a thin cloud lying low over the ground
gauzy
so thin that light passes through it
radiant
giving off light
fabric
woven cloth
hung×3
held in the air above
wooded
covered with trees
rises
low hills
inland
away from the water, further into the land
draping
hanging loosely over
diaphanous
fine and see-through, like a veil
the upper reaches×2
the parts of the river farthest from open waterthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
sombre×4
dark and heavy-looking
curved
bending in a smooth line
imperceptible
too slight or too slow to notice
glowing×2
shining with a steady warm light
stricken
killed
Forthwith
immediately
profound×3
deep
broad reach
a long wide straight stretch of the riverthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
unruffled
smooth, with nothing stirring it
tranquil
calm and quiet
dignity
calm and serious worth
venerable
old and deserving respect
vivid
bright and strong
abiding
lasting on and on
reverence
deep respect, close to worship
evoke
call up in the mind
the lower reaches
the parts of the river nearest open waterthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
tidal current
the flow of water the tide pushes back and forththe working vocabulary of a trade or field
unceasing
never stopping
borne×2
carried
knights-errant
fighting men who wandered about looking for adventurean object or practice the period took for granted
the Queen’s Highness
Queen Elizabeth the First, who came on board the ship herselfrank
sailed
began their voyage
adventurers
men who go out looking for risk and fortune
men on ’Change
traders, named from the Exchange, the London building where merchants met to do businessan object or practice the period took for granted
admirals
the highest officers in a navyrank
interlopers
traders who pushed in where they had no right to be
commissioned
given official orders and authority
pursuers
people chasing after something
fame
being known to everyone
torch×2
a burning stick carried to give lightan object or practice the period took for granted
messengers×2
people sent out to carry word
the ebb×2
the tide running back out towards open waterthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
commonwealths
whole states made of many peoples under one rule
dusk
the half-light after the sun goes down
three-legged
standing on three supports
erect×2
standing straight up
mud-flat
a flat stretch of wet mud left bare when the water goes out
the fairway
the deep middle channel that ships must keep tothe working vocabulary of a trade or field
ominously
in a way that warns of something bad coming
lurid
an ugly, too-bright colour
glare×2
hard bright light
wanderer
a man who moves from place to place
seamen
men whose working life is on shipsthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
sedentary×2
spent mostly sitting still in one place
immutability
never changing at all
glide
move smoothly and quietly
veiled
covered over as if by a thin cloth
disdainful
treating a thing as beneath your attention
ignorance
not knowing
inscrutable×2
impossible to read or understand
Destiny
the power that decides in advance what will happen to you
stroll×2
a slow easy walk
spree
a short burst of drinking and pleasure
suffices
is enough
unfold
open out and show
simplicity
being plain and easy to grasp
propensity
a settled habit of doing something
kernel
the soft seed inside a nut's hard shell
enveloping
wrapping right round
glow×3
a soft steady light
halos
rings of light
spectral
pale and ghostly
illumination
light thrown onto something
grunt
a short low sound in the throat
commander
the officer in charge of a shiprank
what d’ye call ’em
what do you call themEnglish respelled to carry an accent
trireme
a long ancient warship driven by three rows of oarsan object or practice the period took for granted
overland
across the land instead of by water
the legionaries
the ordinary foot soldiers of the Roman armyan object or practice the period took for granted
handy
good with their hands
rigid
stiff, and not bending
a concertina
a small squeeze-box that folds in and out to make musican object or practice the period took for granted
Sand-banks
long ridges of sand under shallow water
marshes
soft wet ground
ashore×2
onto the land
wilderness×6
empty country where nobody lives and nothing is farmed
bundle
a pile of it tied up together
hay
dried grass stored up for animals
tempests
violent storms
exile
being made to live far from your own country
skulking
waiting hidden, ready to strike
brag
speak proudly of what he had done
decent×3
ordinary and respectable
a toga
the long loose robe a Roman citizen worean object or practice the period took for granted
prefect
a Roman official sent out to govern a districtrank
tax-gatherer
a man sent to collect the ruler's money from the peoplean object or practice the period took for granted
trader×2
a man who buys and sells
swamp
soft wet ground with water standing on it
inland post
a station set up away from the coastthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
savagery
living with none of the rules and comforts Europeans knew
initiation
a ceremony that lets a new person into a closed group
midst×2
the middle
the incomprehensible
things he could not understand at all
detestable
hateful
fascination
a pull he cannot resist
the abomination
a thing so foul it makes you sick
longing
a deep wish
powerless
unable to do anything about it
disgust
a strong sick dislike
the surrender
the giving in completely
preaching
teaching about religion out loud
lotus-flower
the water flower the Buddha is always shown seated onan object or practice the period took for granted
efficiency
getting work done well and without waste
devotion
giving yourself over to something completely
chaps×3
men, fellows
colonists
people who go and settle in a country that is not theirs
conquerors
men who take a country by force
boast
speak proudly about yourself
aggravated murder
killing made worse by extra cruelty, in the language of the law courtsthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
conquest
taking a country by force
sentimental
full of soft feeling and no thought
pretence×2
a false show
unselfish
thinking of others before yourself
glided
moved smoothly and quietly
pursuing
chasing
overtaking
catching up and passing
hastily
in a hurry
deepening
growing darker and thicker
patiently×2
calmly, without complaining
the flood
the tide running in from open waterthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
fellows×4
men
fated
certain to have it happen to us
inconclusive
ending without settling anything
unaware
not knowing
chap×6
man, fellow
the farthest point of navigation
as far up the river as a boat can gothe working vocabulary of a trade or field
culminating point
the highest point, where everything came together
pitiful
sad enough to make you feel sorry
hindering
blocking and slowing down
passion×2
a very strong liking
exploration
travelling into country no outsider has mapped
hemispheres
the two halves of the world
boyhood
the years when he was a child
ceased×2
stopped
gloriously
with great delight
afar×3
far off
vast×4
very wide and large
a Company for trade
the trading firm; from here on 'the Company' always means this one businessan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
steamboats
boats driven by a steam engine that burns wood or coalan object or practice the period took for granted
My dear fellow
an easy, friendly way men spoke to one another then; here it means no more than 'yes, yes, my friend'rank
the notion
the idea
enthusiastic
full of eager excitement
a very high personage
a very important officialrank
skipper×2
the captain of a small boatthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
steamboat×5
a boat driven by a steam engine that burns wood or coalan object or practice the period took for granted
the Company×2
the trading firm Marlow has just signed on withan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
a scuffle
a short rough fight
quarrel
an angry argument
arose×2
started
hens×3
female chickens
wronged
treated unfairly
whacked
hit hard
mercilessly
without stopping and without pity
thunderstruck×2
too shocked to move
desperation
the state of having no hope left
tentative
half-hearted and unsure
jab
a short sharp push with a point
spear
a long pole with a sharp point, thrown or pushed
shoulder-blades
the flat bones in the upper back
calamities
disasters
steamer×8
a ship driven by a steam enginean object or practice the period took for granted
commanded
was in charge of
my predecessor
the man who held the job before me
ribs
the curved bones round the chest
deserted×2
with nobody left in it
gaped
stood wide open
rotting×2
going bad and falling apart
askew×2
leaning crookedly
enclosures
fences shutting a space in
calamity
a disaster
vanished×3
gone, with no trace left
employers
the people who were giving him the job
contract
a written agreement he had to signthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
Prejudice
a fixed dislike formed before you know anything
innumerable×2
too many to count
venetian blinds
window covers made of flat strips that tilt to shut out the lightan object or practice the period took for granted
sprouting
pushing up and growing
imposing
large and grand enough to impress you
carriage archways
arched openings wide enough for a horse and carriage to drive throughan object or practice the period took for granted
immense×3
huge
ponderously
heavily and slowly
ajar
open by a small gap
cracks
narrow openings
swept
brushed clean
ungarnished
with nothing on it for show
staircase
a set of steps going up inside a building
arid
completely dry
straw-bottomed chairs
chairs whose seats are woven from dried grass stemsan object or practice the period took for granted
a somnambulist
a person who walks about while asleep
preceded
went in front of
Deal table
a plain table of cheap soft pinean object or practice the period took for granted
shining
bright
smears
rough streaks of colour
lager-beer
a light German-style beeran object or practice the period took for granted
Ough!
a sound of disgust and fear, like a shudderEnglish respelled to carry an accent
white-haired
with hair gone white with age
secretarial×2
belonging to a person who writes letters for an office
compassionate×2
full of pity
skinny
very thin
forefinger×2
the finger next to the thumb
beckoned
waved to call me in
dim×3
weak, so the room was half dark
squatted×2
sat low and heavy
plumpness
being fat and soft from good feeding
a frock-coat
a long formal coat down to the knees, worn by important menan object or practice the period took for granted
five feet six
about one metre sixty-eight: short for a grown manmoney
murmured×2
spoke low and unclearly
vaguely
without saying anything clear
desolation
a feeling of empty sadness
undertook
promised
disclose
tell to anyone outside
uneasy×2
uncomfortable, as if something is wrong
ominous×2
warning of something bad to come
conspiracy
a secret plan by several people to do something wrong
feverishly
very fast, as if driven
slippers×2
soft shoes worn indoors
a foot-warmer
a small box of hot coals to rest the feet onan object or practice the period took for granted
reposed
lay resting
a wart
a small hard lump growing on the skin
silver-rimmed
with a thin silver ring round each lens
swift
very quick
placidity
the calm of a person nothing ever upsets
troubled
worried
youths
young men
cheery
bright and happy-looking
countenances
faces
unconcerned
not troubled by anything
eerie
strange in a way that makes you afraid
uncanny
strange beyond any explaining
fateful
deciding what is going to happen to you
pall
the black cloth spread over a coffinan object or practice the period took for granted
scrutinizing
looking closely and carefully at
knitter
a woman making cloth by looping thread over needles
formality
something done only because the rules ask for it
assured×2
told me firmly -- it is the secretary speaking
Accordingly
so, because of that
eyebrow
the line of hair above the eye
clerk
a man paid to write and copy papers in an officean object or practice the period took for granted
shabby
worn out and badly cared for
inkstains
dark marks left by writing ink
cravat
a wide cloth tied round the neck, worn where we would wear a tiean object or practice the period took for granted
billowy
puffed out in loose folds
thereupon
right after that
vermouths
a wine flavoured with herbs, drunk before a mealan object or practice the period took for granted
glorified
spoke of it as something splendid
casually
as if it did not matter
sententiously
as if he had just said something very wise
evidently
clearly
mumbled
spoke low and unclearly
calipers
a tool with two curved arms for measuring across an objectan object or practice the period took for granted
dimensions
the measurements across it
unshaven
with hair left growing on his face
threadbare
so old and worn that the cloth is thin, almost see-through
a gaberdine
a long loose coat of rough clothan object or practice the period took for granted
harmless
not able to do any harm
the crania
the skulls
moreover×2
and besides that
madness
loss of the mind
irritation×2
my anger at being asked such a question
an alienist
the old name for a doctor who treats diseases of the mindan object or practice the period took for granted
imperturbably
without letting anything shake him
reap
get
hastened
hurried
assure
tell firmly
erroneous
wrong
exposure
being out under the open sun with nothing over your head
the tropics
the hot belt of the world around the middle
triumphant×2
full of the joy of having won
soothingly
in a way that calms you
drawing-room
the best room of a house, where guests are receivedan object or practice the period took for granted
fireside
the space beside the fire in a room
the high dignitary
the important officialrank
exceptional×2
far above the ordinary
river-steamboat
a small river vessel pushed along by an engine that burns woodan object or practice the period took for granted
a penny whistle
a cheap little pipe you blow; here he means the boat's steam whistlean object or practice the period took for granted
humbug
talk meant to fool people
profit
the money left over once the costs are paidthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
confounded×3
a mild swear word, roughly 'damned'
contentedly
happy with things as they are
creation
the making of the world
embraced
hugged
flannel
soft warm cloth made from sheep's wool, worn next to the skin because people believed it kept off illnessan object or practice the period took for granted
an imposter
someone pretending to be what he is not
Odd×2
strange
hesitation
a pause before acting
startled×2
suddenly surprised
commonplace×2
ordinary, nothing special
custom-house officers
officials who collect the tax on goods coming into a countryan object or practice the period took for granted
an enigma
a puzzle nobody can solve
frowning
looking angry
grand
big and impressive
insipid
dull, with nothing about it to hold your interest
mute×2
silent
featureless
with nothing on it to tell one part from another
monotonous
all the same, with no change in it
grimness
a hard look with no joy in it
colossal
enormous
fringed
edged all the way along
surf×2
the white water where waves break on the shore
glitter×2
a sharp broken shine
blurred
made unclear at the edges
creeping
moving slowly and low
fierce
violently strong
glisten
shine wetly
drip
fall in drops
greyish
close to grey
whitish
close to white
specks
tiny spots
clustered
grouped tightly together
Settlements
small places built by people who came from somewhere else
pinheads
the tiny round tops of pins
untouched
with nothing yet done to it
expanse
a wide open stretch of country
levy toll
collect a charge on goods passing throughthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
presumably
as one would suppose
flung
thrown roughly
sordid×2
dirty and low
farce
a silly play meant to be laughed at
sinister×2
threatening something evil
back-cloth
the painted cloth hung across the back of a stagean object or practice the period took for granted
idleness
having nothing at all to do
languid
slow and with no energy
sombreness
the dark and heavy look of it
senseless
with no meaning in it
delusion
a false belief you cannot shake off
momentary
lasting only a moment
eyeballs
the round balls of the eyes -- it is the white part around the centre that shows
glistening
shining wetly
perspiration
sweat
grotesque
strange and ugly
masks
covers worn over the face
vitality
life and strength
energy×2
force and life
straightforward
plain and easy to understand
a man-of-war
a warshipthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
anchored×2
held in place by a heavy weight dropped to the sea bedthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
shelling
firing heavy guns atthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
thereabouts×2
in that part of the country
ensign
the flag that shows which country a ship belongs tothe working vocabulary of a trade or field
limp
hanging loose and soft
rag
a torn piece of old cloth
the muzzles
the open front ends of the gunsthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
six-inch
about as wide across the mouth as a man's hand is longmoney
hull
the body of a ship, the part that sits in the waterthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
greasy
with a slippery film on it
slimy
covered in thick wet dirt
swung×2
moved with a long slow motion
swaying
rocking slowly from side to side
masts
the tall poles standing up from the floor of a shipthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
incomprehensible
impossible to understand
flame×2
a small burst of fire
dart
shoot out quickly
vanish
go, leaving no trace
projectile
something fired out of a gun
feeble
weak
screech
a high scraping cry
insanity
a mind not working right
lugubrious
heavy with sadness
drollery
something odd enough to be funny
dissipated
driven away and broken up
assuring×2
telling me firmly
earnestly
seriously, and meaning it
farcical
ridiculous, like a silly play
earthy
smelling of soil
overheated
made far too hot
catacomb
an underground passage where the dead are laid in the wallsan object or practice the period took for granted
formless
with no clear shape
intruders
people pushing in where they are not wanted
thickened
become thick
slime
thick soft wet dirt
contorted×2
twisted out of shape
mangroves
trees that grow in salt mud, with roots standing above the water
writhe
twist about as if in pain
extremity
the very worst point
particularized
made of separate clear details
oppressive
heavy and hard to bear
weary×2
tired out
pilgrimage
a long hard journey made to reach a holy place
hints
small signs pointing at something
nightmares
bad dreams that make you afraid
two hundred miles
far enough to be many days' travel awaymoney
thirty miles
about a day's journey by boatmoney
the bridge
the raised platform a ship is steered fromthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
lean
thin
morose
silent and in a bad mood
lanky
long and thin
shuffling
dragging the feet along the ground
gait
the way a person walks
wharf
a landing place where boats tie up
contemptuously
as if they deserved no respect at all
bitterness
a hard angry feeling
francs
French money; a few a month was very little to live onmoney
upcountry×2
inland, away from the coast
exclaimed×2
said suddenly and loudly
shuffled
moved with dragging feet
athwart
across the deck from one side to the otherthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
vigilantly
watching closely all the time
watchfully
with careful attention on what lay ahead
opened a reach
turned a bend and saw a new straight stretch of the river aheadthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
rocky
made of bare stone
mounds
heaps
excavations
holes dug out of the ground
the declivity
the slope
the rapids
the stretch where a river runs fast and rough over rocksthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
hovered
hung in the air above it
inhabited
lived in by people
devastation
complete ruin
A jetty
a platform built out over the water for boats to come alongside
recrudescence
the sun's fierce light suddenly coming back as strong as before
barrack-like
plain and bare, like the huts soldiers sleep in
a boiler
the big iron tank where water is heated to make steamthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
wallowing
lying half sunk
boulders
very large rounded stones
undersized
smaller than it ought to be
railway-truck
a small open railway wagonan object or practice the period took for granted
the carcass
the dead body of an animal
decaying
falling to pieces with age
stack
a pile
rusty
covered in the red-brown crust that wet iron grows
rails
the metal bars a train runs alongthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
a clump
a small tight group
shady
out of the sun
stir
move a little
feebly×2
weakly
blinked
shut and opened my eyes quickly
tooted
made a short blowing sound
detonation
the bang of an explosion
puff
a small quick cloud
objectless
with no purpose at all
blasting
breaking rock apart with explosives
clinking
a small sharp metal sound
toiling
working hard and painfully
clink
a small sharp metal sound
footsteps
the sound of feet on the ground
rags
torn pieces of old cloth
loins
the lower part of the body around the hips
waggled
moved from side to side
tails
the long parts hanging from the back of an animal
rib
one of the curved bones round the chest
limbs
arms and legs
knots
hard lumps where a rope is tied
bights
the loose hanging loops of a chainthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
rhythmically
in a steady repeating beat
bursting
breaking open with force
insoluble
impossible to solve
meagre
thin and poor
panted
breathed hard and fast
dilated
opened wide
nostrils×2
the two openings of the nose
quivered
shook with small quick movements
stonily
with no feeling showing at all
uphill
up the slope
within six inches
close enough to reach out and touchmoney
deathlike
like that of a dead person
indifference
not caring at all
the reclaimed
the Company's word for an African taken into its own service and taught its waysan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
strolled×3
walked slowly and easily
despondently
with no hope left
hoisted
lifted up
alacrity
quick willingness
prudence
care taken to keep out of trouble
speedily
quickly
reassured
made calm again
rascally
like a cheerful thief
grin
a wide smile that shows the teeth
partnership
as if he and I were doing the job together
exalted
raised high and honoured
descended
went down
chain-gang
a group of prisoners chained together and made to workan object or practice the period took for granted
greed
wanting far more than you need
lusty
full of force and life
swayed
ruled
hillside×3
the sloping side of a hill
foresaw
knew before it happened
flabby×2
soft and loose, with nothing firm in it
rapacious
greedy to seize everything
pitiless×2
with no pity in it
folly×3
stupid behaviour
insidious
doing harm quietly and unseen
appalled
filled with horror
obliquely
at a slant, not straight down
artificial
made by people, not natural
a quarry
a place where stone is cut out of the ground
a sandpit
a hole dug to take sand out
philanthropic×2
meant to do good to people
ravine
a narrow deep cut in the ground
imported
brought in from another country
drainage-pipes
pipes for carrying dirty water awayan object or practice the period took for granted
wanton
done for no reason but the wish to do it
smash-up
a breaking of things to pieces
rapids
the fast rough water where a river runs down over rocksthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
uninterrupted
going on with no break
headlong
rushing forward and not stopping
stillness×2
complete quiet
grove
a small group of trees
audible
able to be heard
crouched
bent low with the knees drawn up
clinging
holding on tightly
effaced
rubbed out
abandonment
the state of having been left by everyone
shudder×2
a short shaking
the helpers
the Company's word for the Africans it had brought in to workan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
withdrawn
gone away out of sight
starvation
dying because they have no food
confusedly
in no order, all mixed together
greenish
close to green
recesses×2
the far inner parts
uncongenial×2
not suiting them at all
unfamiliar
strange to them
sickened
fell ill
inefficient
no longer able to do the work
crawl×2
move along on hands and knees
moribund
close to death
distinguish
see clearly enough to tell what it was
the gleam
a faint shine
reclined
lay back
eyelids
the two folds of skin that shut when you sleep
flicker
a small shaky light
the orbs
the eyeballs
ship’s biscuits
hard dry bread baked to keep for months at seaan object or practice the period took for granted
worsted
a smooth twisted thread made from sheep's woolan object or practice the period took for granted
badge
a small sign worn to show what you are
ornament
something worn only to look pretty
propitiatory
meant to make a god or a spirit kindly towards you
startling
sharply surprising
thread
a thin line of cotton or wool
propped
resting on something that held it up
intolerable
impossible to bear
appalling
filling you with horror
phantom
a ghost
weariness
being tired right out
collapse
falling down in a heap
massacre
when many are put to death together
a pestilence
a disease that kills great numbers of people
horror-struck
frozen with horror
lapped
drank with his tongue, the way a dog does
shins
the fronts of the lower legs
woolly
with tight curled hair
breastbone
the flat bone down the middle of the chest
loitering
standing there doing nothing
elegance
a fine and stylish look
get-up
the clothes he had on
starched×2
made hard with a paste so it holds its shape
cuffs×2
the ends of the sleeves, at the wrist
alpaca
a light cloth woven from the hair of a South American animalan object or practice the period took for granted
snowy
pure white
necktie
a strip of cloth tied at the throat
varnished boots
boots with a hard shiny coat brushed onto theman object or practice the period took for granted
parasol×2
a light umbrella carried to keep the sun offan object or practice the period took for granted
a penholder
the wooden stick a metal writing point is fitted intoan object or practice the period took for granted
chief accountant
the man in charge of the money recordsthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
book-keeping
the writing down of every sum paid and receivedthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
wonderfully
very
indissolubly
in a way that can never be undone
a hairdresser’s dummy
the model head in a barber's window, with the hair done perfectlyan object or practice the period took for granted
demoralization
the falling apart of all order and decency
got-up shirt-fronts
stiff white chest-pieces worn over the shirtan object or practice the period took for granted
linen
shirts and collars of fine white clothan object or practice the period took for granted
modestly
quietly, without praising himself
a distaste
a dislike
splay feet
feet that point outwards to the sides
manufactured goods
things made in factories
rubbishy
cheap and worth nothing
cottons
cloth made from the cotton plant
beads×3
small coloured balls with holes through them, threaded and handed over in tradean object or practice the period took for granted
brass-wire
thin lengths of yellow metal, handed over in trade the way money isan object or practice the period took for granted
the chaos
the complete disorder
horizontal
lying flat, from side to side
planks×2
long flat boards of wood
bent×2
leaned
barred
crossed all over with stripes
shutter
a wooden cover that closes over a windowan object or practice the period took for granted
buzzed×2
made a low humming noise
fiendishly
like something evil
sting
push in sharply and leave pain
stabbed
drove a sharp point into the skin
faultless
with nothing wrong anywhere
scented
with perfume on him
perching
sitting up on it like a bird
stool
a seat with no back
a truckle-bed
a low bed on small wheels that slides away under anotheran object or practice the period took for granted
invalid
made weak by illness
exhibited
showed
groans×2
low sounds of pain
distract
pull away
clerical errors
mistakes in copying figures into the account booksthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
a first-class agent
one of the Company's most senior men out here, buying ivory for themthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
elicited
got him to say
a trading-post
a station set up far inland to buy and sellthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
the true ivory-country
the region where the ivory really comes fromthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
groan
make a low sound of pain
murmur×3
a low steady sound of voices
tramping
heavy walking
babble
a confused rush of voices
uncouth
rough and strange to the ear
the carriers
the men hired to carry the loads on their headsthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
uproar
a loud confused noise
lamentable×2
full of complaint and misery
tearfully
close to crying
twentieth
number twenty in order
frightful×2
terrible
gently
softly and slowly
composure
complete calm
alluding
pointing at it without naming it
the tumult
the loud confused noise
correct entries
rightly written lines in the account booksthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
thoughtful
deep in thought
the deck
he glances at the desk in front of him -- the book prints a ship's word here by mistake
satisfactory
in good order, just as it should be
bulging
sticking out
buzz
a low humming noise
homeward-bound
on his way back home
doorstep
the step outside a door
a two-hundred-mile tramp
a walk on foot of about three hundred kilometresmoney
burnt
made black by fire
thickets
places where bushes grow close together
chilly
unpleasantly cold
ravines
narrow deep cuts in the ground
stony
covered with loose rock
a solitude
a place with nobody at all in it
fearful
frightening
the yokels
country people, spoken of as slow and simple
cottage
a small country house
dwellings
places where people live
pathetically
in a way that makes you feel sorry
childish
like something a small child made
60-lb.
about twenty-seven kilogramsmoney
strike camp
take the tents down and pack everything upthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
water-gourd
a dried hollow fruit used to carry wateran object or practice the period took for granted
staff×2
a long walking stick
the tremor
a faint shaking sound
suggestive
seeming to point at something more
unbuttoned
hanging open, not fastened
lank×2
long, thin and limp
hospitable
welcoming to a stranger
festive
in a party mood
the upkeep
the work of keeping the road in good repair
fleshy
heavy with fat
exasperating
enough to make you lose your temper
hillsides
the sloping sides of hills
scornfully
as if the question were a stupid one
hammock
a hanging bed of cloth, tied up between two supportsan object or practice the period took for granted
slung
hung by a strap or a rope
sixteen stone
about twice the weight of a thin man: very heavy to carrymoney
jibbed
refused to go on
a mutiny
a refusal by men under orders to obey
wrecked
smashed and ruined
skinned
torn the skin off
scientifically
as a man of science would see it
fifteenth
number fifteen in order
hobbled
walked with difficulty
a back water
a still side-arm of the river, out of the main flowthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
scrub
low rough bushes
smelly
with a bad smell
rushes
tall stiff grasses that grow in wet ground
neglected
left to fall into ruin with nobody caring
devil×2
an evil creature
staves×3
long sticks
languidly
slowly and with no energy
strolling×2
walking slowly and easily
excitable
who loses his calm at the smallest thing
moustaches×3
hair grown on the upper lip
volubility
a rush of words
digressions
wanderings away from the point
splendidly×2
extremely well
agitation×2
a state of nervous excitement
significance
the real meaning of it
wreck×3
the ruined boat
nuisance
something annoying that blocks you
sunk
gone to the bottom
volunteer
a man who offered to do it without being asked
remarkably
unusually
trenchant
cutting sharply
axe
a heavy blade on a handle, for cutting wood
disclaim
deny any part in
indefinable
impossible to put into words
stealthy
quiet and secret
intensified
grew stronger
employed
given paid work
obeyed
people did what he told them
neither×3
not the one and not the other
uneasiness×2
a feeling that something is wrong
mistrust
a feeling that a man is not to be believed
genius×2
a rare natural gift
organizing
putting things in working order
initiative
the will to start something himself
deplorable
very bad indeed
on leave
on his paid time away from the jobthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
pompously
in a self-important way
externals
the things that show on the outside
originated
no idea was ever his own
external checks
things outside a man that hold him back
entrails
the insides of the body, the guts
the utterance
the thing he had just said
constant
never stopping
quarrels
angry arguments
precedence
the right to go or sit first
mess-room
the room where a group of men eat togetherthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
unalterable
that could never be changed
uncivil
rude
overfed
given more food than he needs
provoking
enough to make a man angry
insolence
behaving rudely on purpose to annoy
sealing-wax×2
a hard red stick melted to close a letteran object or practice the period took for granted
irritable
quick to get angry
fidgeted
moved about restlessly
dumfounded
so shocked he could not speak
futile
useless, leading nowhere
verandah
a roofed open porch running along the outside of a housean object or practice the period took for granted
muttering
speaking low and unclearly
chattering
talking on and on about nothing
idiot
a stupid person
startlingly
in a way that took me by surprise
requisite
needed
redeeming
the good things in life that balance the bad
aimlessly
with no purpose
absurd×2
plainly ridiculous
faithless pilgrims
Marlow's mocking name for the agents: they carry long sticks like men on a holy journey, but believe in nothing except ivoryan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
bewitched×2
held as if under a spell
A taint
a trace of something gone rotten
imbecile
stupid
rapacity
greed to seize everything
a whiff
a short smell of something
corpse
a dead body
unreal×2
not seeming real
invincible
impossible to beat
evil
something deeply bad
calico, cotton prints
cheap cotton cloth, plain and patterned, made in European factories for tradean object or practice the period took for granted
avenging
coming to punish
trash
worthless stuff
dismantled
taken to pieces
a tin pail
a metal bucketan object or practice the period took for granted
dipped
put it in and took it out again
a quart
about what a large bottle holds: nothing at all against a firemoney
heap
a loose pile
embers
the small red-hot pieces left when a fire dies down
fiercely
very strongly
beaten×2
hit again and again
screeching
crying out high and harsh
horribly
terribly
first-class agent
an agent of the Company's highest gradethe working vocabulary of a trade or field
gentlemanly
with the manners of a well-born man
forked
splitting into two points
hooked×2
bent in a curve at the end
stand-offish
keeping himself apart from other people
hissing×2
making a long ssss sound
perceived
saw
a silver-mounted dressing-case
a travelling box for brushes and razors, fitted with silveran object or practice the period took for granted
mats
flat grass covers laid on floors or hung on walls
spears
long poles with sharp points
assegais
light throwing spears used in southern Africaan object or practice the period took for granted
shields
boards held on the arm to stop blows
in trophies
arranged on the wall in a fan, the way winners show off what they tookthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
pilgrims×6
Marlow's mocking name for the agents with their long sticksan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
back-biting
saying nasty things about a man behind his back
plotting
making secret plans
percentages
a share of the value of what they traded, paid to them on top of wagesthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
slandered
told lies to damage a man's name
effectually
so as actually to have an effect
provoke
make angry enough to act
charitable
ready to think well of everyone
sociable
friendly and wanting company
alluded
kept mentioning
putting leading questions
asking questions shaped so that the answer he wanted would comethe working vocabulary of a trade or field
glittered
shone in sharp broken points
mica discs
thin shiny flakes of a stone that splits into sheetsan object or practice the period took for granted
superciliousness
an air of looking down on people
astonished
greatly surprised
chills
cold shaking brought on by fever
wretched×2
cursed and hateful -- he says it because the business is driving him mad
shameless
with no shame at all
prevaricator
a man who twists the truth
conceal
hide
furious
wildly angry
a small sketch in oils
a small painting done in oil paintan object or practice the period took for granted
on a panel
on a flat piece of board rather than on cloththe working vocabulary of a trade or field
draped
with loose cloth hanging about her
blindfolded
with a cloth tied over the eyes
stately
slow and grand
torchlight
the light of a burning stick
civilly
politely
half-pint
a small bottle, about what one mug holdsmoney
medical comforts
alcohol taken along on a journey and counted as medicinethe working vocabulary of a trade or field
the brickmaker
the man whose job is making bricks
a prodigy
a man with amazing powers of mind
an emissary
a man sent out to carry something to others
declaim
speak out loudly as if on a stage
the gang of virtue
the young man's sour name for the men he thinks were sent out to clean the Company upan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
influential×2
having power over what other people decide
acquaintances
people she knew
confidential correspondence
the Company's secret lettersthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
risen
come up into the sky
listlessly
with no interest and no energy
ascended
rose up
moonlight×3
the light of the moon
groaned
made a low sound of pain
brute
an animal; here it is said of a man
indefatigable
never getting tired
conflagrations
great fires
crestfallen
suddenly ashamed and unhappy
servile
like a servant trying hard to please
heartiness
a loud warm manner
riverside
the ground along the edge of the river
scathing
very harsh and hurting
gesticulating
waving their arms about as they talked
spectrally
like a ghost
courtyard×2
an open space with buildings round it
greatness
how huge and grand it was
concealed
hidden
moaned
made a long low sound of pain
My dear sir×2
a very polite -- here too polite -- way of speaking to a manrank
misunderstood
taken to mean something I did not mean
_papier-mache_
paper mashed to a pulp and pressed into a shape: light and hollowan object or practice the period took for granted
precipitately
very fast, tumbling one word onto the next
carcass
the dead body of an animal
primeval
from the very first ages of the world
patches
small areas of a different colour
matted
tangled thickly together
vegetation×2
growing plants of every kind
glittering×2
shining in sharp broken points
broadly
widely
expectant
as if waiting for something
jabbered
talked fast and without sense
a menace
a threat
strayed
wandered in by mistake
confoundedly
a mild swear word; here it only means very
a fiend
an evil spirit
sailmaker
the man who cuts and sews a ship's sailsthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
mutter
speak low and unclearly
detest
hate strongly
appalls
fills me with horror
taint
a trace of something gone rotten
mortality
the fact that everything living must die
a pretence
a false show
convey×2
carry across to someone else
commingling
mixing together
absurdity
how plainly silly it was
bewilderment
being completely lost and confused
a tremor
a faint shaking
essence×2
the thing itself at its very centre
epoch
a stretch of time in a life
subtle
fine and hard to catch
penetrating
going right into you
the clue
the one thing that would explain it
mangled
crushed and torn out of shape
necessity
the need
conceive
understand
gaze
look long and steadily
universal
good at everything there is
adequate
good enough for the job
impossibility
a thing that cannot be done
wantonly
for no good reason
rivets×5
short metal pins hammered through two iron sheets to hold them togetherthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
Rivets×9
short metal pins driven through holes in two iron sheets and hammered flat, so the sheets hold tight and water cannot pass
rivet
a short metal pin, made to be driven through two iron sheets and hammered flatthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
station-yard
the open ground of the trading settlement, not a place where trains stopan object or practice the period took for granted
plates
the flat sheets of iron that make a ship's outer skinthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
messenger
a man sent to carry letters
letter-bag
the bag the post is carried inan object or practice the period took for granted
ghastly
horrible to look at
glazed
with a hard shiny surface
calico
a plain cheap cotton clothan object or practice the period took for granted
a penny a quart
almost nothing at allmoney
unresponsive
giving nothing back
exasperated
driven to the edge of losing his temper
I write from dictation
I only write down what I am told to writethe working vocabulary of a trade or field
a hippopotamus
a huge heavy river animal of Africa
salvage
the work of saving a wrecked boat out of the waterthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
hippo
the short name for that huge river animal
roaming×2
wandering about
The pilgrims
Marlow's mocking name for the white traders at the station, who carry long sticks about like men on a holy journeyan ordinary word the author has stipulated a meaning for
sat up o’ nights
stayed awake through the nightEnglish respelled to carry an accent
brutes
animals
mica
a stone that splits into thin shiny sheetsan object or practice the period took for granted
wink
a quick shut of one eye
curt
short and cold
considerably
very much
battered
knocked about and dented
twisted
bent out of its right shape
clambered
climbed awkwardly
a gutter
the channel along the edge of a road that carries rain away
expended
spent
the mere show
only the outside of it and nothing more
dangling
hanging loose and swinging
despised
thought them low and worthless
imperfect
not good enough
the foreman
the man put in charge of the other workersthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
a boiler-maker
a man who builds the iron tanks that make steamthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
bony
thin enough to show every joint
prospered
grown well
locality
the place
waist
the narrow part of the body above the hips
a widower
a man whose wife has died
pigeon-flying
the hobby of keeping grey city birds and racing them homean object or practice the period took for granted
a connoisseur
a man who knows a great deal about one subject and can judge it well
pigeons×2
grey city birds, kept and raced home by some men
loops
rings of cloth or string
rinsing
washing out in clean water
wrapper
the cloth he tied round his beard
solemnly
seriously, as if it mattered greatly
slapped
hit with the flat of the hand
exclaiming
calling out suddenly
lunatics
mad people
mysteriously
in a manner meant to look secret
a jig
a quick lively dancean object or practice the period took for granted
capered
jumped about
clatter
a loud rattling noise
hulk
the body of an old boat with nothing working left in itthe working vocabulary of a trade or field
hovels
small, poor, roughly built huts
obscured
blocked from sight
doorway
the opening that a door fills
stamping
banging the feet down hard
exuberant
growing wildly and thickly
entangled
twisted into one another
boughs
large branches
festoons
loops of hanging plants
soundless
making no noise
crested
rising to a top like a wave
sweep
carry away in one long movement
deadened
made dull and muffled
mighty
very great and powerful
snorts
loud noisy breaths through the nose
boiler-maker
the man whose trade is making and mending the big iron water tanks that drive a steam enginerank
confidently
with no doubt in my voice
an infliction
something painful forced on you
a visitation
a punishment sent down from above
donkey
a small animal like a horse, with long ears
tan
light yellow-brown
elevation
the height he was sitting at
impressed
filled with admiration
quarrelsome
always ready to argue
footsore
with feet sore from walking
sulky
silent and in a bad mood
camp-stools
light folding seats for use outdoorsan object or practice the period took for granted
bales
big bundles of goods tied tight
deepen
grow thicker
muddle
a state of disorder
instalments
separate parts arriving one after another
disorderly
with no order at all
the loot
goods taken by force
outfit
a full set of clothing and gear
provision stores
shops selling food suppliesan object or practice the period took for granted
lugging
dragging along with effort
equitable
fair to everyone
division
a sharing out
inextricable
too tangled ever to be sorted out
spoils
goods taken away after a robbery
thieving
stealing
buccaneers
sea robbers who attacked and robbed ships long agoan object or practice the period took for granted
reckless
taking risks without care
hardihood
toughness in the face of danger
audacity
bold daring
foresight
thinking ahead
noble
high and worthy
In exterior
to look at from outside
cunning
clever at tricking people
paunch
a big belly
ostentation
showing off
gang
his band of men
infested
filled the place the way rats fill a house
everlasting
going on and on with no end
confab
a private talk
meditation
long quiet thinking
equipped
who arrived carrying

Words inside the phrases171 entries

These were explained above as part of a longer phrase. Here is what each one means on its own.

ablaze
burning
abomination
a thing so foul it makes you sick
acquainted
knowing a person or a thing
afloat
floating on water
aggravated
made worse
alienist
the old name for a doctor who treats the mind
architecturally
the way a builder sets one part on top of another
archways
curved openings in a wall
asserting
standing up for
backbone
strength of character
baffled
left puzzled with no answer
bearers
people carrying something
beguiled
passed the time pleasantly
biscuits
hard dry flat bread
blaze
a big bright fire
blundered
stumbled into it without meaning to
bosom
the chest, where a thing is held close
bowels
the insides of the body
brickmaker
a man whose job is making bricks
bundles
heaps tied together
calme
a French word meaning 'calm'
capers
wild jumps
chummed
became friendly
civilize
make people live the way Europeans thought all people should
clerical
to do with office writing
clump
a small tight group
concertina
a small squeeze-box you pull and push to make music
connoisseur
a person who knows a subject inside out
conquests
lands taken by force
correspondence
letters sent and received
couldn
a shortened way of writing the two words could not
crania
skulls
crook
a bent stick with a hook at the end, used by shepherds
culminating
the highest point, where it all comes together
declivity
a slope going down
dependency
a country owned and governed by another
deuce
a mild swear word, roughly 'devil'
dice
small cubes marked with dots, thrown for gambling
dictation
words said aloud for another person to write down
dignitary
a person holding high office
disciples
pupils who follow one teacher
disposition
a person's character
distaste
a dislike
downcast
turned down towards the ground
dummy
a model of a person
emissary
a person sent out with a message or a task
enigma
a puzzle nobody can solve
exterior
the outside
eyed
having a certain look in the face
fairway
the deep channel a ship must keep to
faithless
believing in nothing
fancied
thought, supposed
fend
to push away
fetched
drew out
fiend
an evil spirit
flanks
the sides of a body
flatness
being level, with nothing standing up on it
floated
carried along on the water without sinking
foreman
the man put in charge of the other workers
frock
a long coat reaching the knees
gaberdine
a long loose coat of rough cloth
gigantic
enormous
glamour
a charm that makes a thing look exciting
gleam
a faint shine
gloomy
dark and heavy
halter
a rope put round a horse's head to lead it
hankering
a strong wish for something
haste
hurry
hauled
dragged with effort
helpers
people brought in to do the work
hippopotamus
a huge heavy river animal of Africa
horrid
nasty
icthyosaurus
a huge sea animal of the ancient world
imposter
a person pretending to be what he is not
infliction
something painful forced on you
jeopardy
danger
jetty
a platform built out over water
jewels
precious stones, cut to catch the light
jolly
cheerful
joviality
being full of good cheer
laze
pass the time doing nothing
legality
being within the law
legionaries
foot soldiers of the Roman army
levy
to charge and collect
listeners
people hearing someone speak
loafing
passing the time doing nothing
loot
goods taken by force
marsh
soft wet low ground
menace
a threat
mistress
a woman who rules or owns
muffs
useless clumsy fellows
mutiny
a refusal by men under orders to obey
muzzles
the open front ends of guns
obliged
grateful for a favour
orbs
round balls
outraged
deeply insulted and angry
pail
a bucket
penholder
the stick a metal writing point fits into
personage
an important person
personified
shown in the shape of a person
pestilence
a disease that kills great numbers of people
pioneers
the first people to go into new country
poke
push a finger into
predecessor
the person who held the job before
prodigy
a person with astonishing gifts
quarry
a place where stone is cut from the ground
quart
a measure of liquid, about what a large bottle holds
quoth
an old word meaning 'said'
rang
sounded out
rave
talk on and on with great excitement
reclaimed
taken back and made to serve
redeems
makes up for what is bad in it
resembling
looking like
rotund
round and fat
rout
a complete beating and scattering
salutant
a Latin word meaning 'they salute'
sanctuary
the holiest inner room of a temple
sandpit
a hole dug to take out sand
scar
the mark left on skin after a wound
scrambled
got up in a great hurry
scuffle
a short rough fight
secrecy
keeping a thing hidden
sepulchral
like a tomb
sepulchre
a stone tomb
shuffle
the sound of feet dragging along the ground
singleness
being aimed at one thing only
sneaked
went quietly so as not to be seen
solitude
being alone, with nobody about
somnambulist
a person who walks about while asleep
spark
a tiny piece of fire thrown off by burning wood
splay
spread wide apart
sprits
poles that hold a sail out from the mast
squeeze
a hard press to force something out
stooping
bending the body over
strode
walked with long steps
stumbled
caught a foot on something and nearly fell
supernatural
beyond anything nature can do
sworn
bound by a promise made before others
tidal
moved by the daily rise and fall of the sea
toga
the long loose robe a Roman citizen wore
toil
an old word for a net or a trap
topple
fall forward and over
tore
pulled apart with force
tramp
a long hard walk on foot
tremor
a faint shaking
trickle
a thin slow stream
trod
walked, stepped
tropics
the hot belt of the world around the middle
truckle
a low bed on small wheels
trustworthiness
being safe to rely on
tumbled
fell or was thrown down
tumult
a loud confused noise
uncoiled
stretched out straight instead of rolled in rings
untitled
with no honour such as 'Sir' before the name
upkeep
keeping a thing in repair
utterance
a thing said
uttermost
the very farthest
vanishing
going out of sight
varnished
coated with a clear liquid that dries hard and shiny
venetian
of Venice, a city in Italy
virtue
being good
visitation
a punishment sent down from above
wart
a small hard lump on the skin
weaning
getting people to give up what they are used to
welded
joined by melting the metal edges into one
whence
from which
whiff
a short smell of something
whispering
speaking in a very soft breath
wouldn
a shortened way of writing the two words would not
yawl
a small sailing boat with two masts
yokels
country people, spoken of as slow and simple