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A Captive of the Roman Eagles
A Captive of the Roman Eagles

Chapter XL

Chapter 40 of A Captive of the Roman Eagles is here in full — 245 sentences across 49 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for A Captive of the Roman Eagles
Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.
This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.
Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.
Her first glance rested on the Prefect.
"Ausonius!" she said feebly.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Captive of the Roman Eagles

Chapter XL

Chapter 40 of A Captive of the Roman Eagles is here in full — 245 sentences across 49 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.
Line 2
This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.
/ðɪs plæn siːmd best fɔːr ðə ˈwuːndɪd ˈdʒenərəl huː kʊd nɑːt ˈiːzəli biː ˈlɪftəd əˈpɑːn ðə ˈlɔːfti dek ʌv ðə ʃɪp/
Line 3
Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.
/enˈɡeɪdʒd ɪn ðɪs tæsk ðə ˈʌðər ˈroʊmənz dɪd nɑːt ˈnoʊtəs ðə jʌŋ ɡɜːrl huː naʊ sæt ʌp/
Line 4
Her first glance rested on the Prefect.
/hɜːr fɜːrst ɡlæns ˈrestəd ɑːn ðə ˈpriːfekt/
Line 5
"Ausonius!" she said feebly.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

feebly adverb US /ˈfiːbli/

in a faint and feeble manner

From this reading “"Ausonius!" she said feebly.”

galley noun US /ˈɡæli/

a large medieval vessel with a single deck propelled by sails and oars with guns at stern and prow; a complement of 1,000 men; used mainly in the Mediterranean for war and trading

From this reading “The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.”

imperial adjective US /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/

relating to or associated with an empire

From this reading “The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.”

lofty adjective US /ˈlɔːfti/

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading “This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.”

Prefect noun US /ˈpriːfekt/

a chief officer or chief magistrate

From this reading “Her first glance rested on the Prefect.”

preparing verb US /priˈperɪŋ/

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading “The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.”

Romans noun US /ˈroʊmənz/

a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58

From this reading “Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.”

tow noun US /toʊ/

the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope

From this reading “The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

young girl adjective + noun

a girl or young woman who is unmarried

In this reading “Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.”

glance rested verb + adjective

In this reading “Her first glance rested on the Prefect.”

All words in this reading · 49

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

Ausonius

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

From this reading "Ausonius!" she said feebly.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

boatnounUS /boʊt/

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

decknounUS /dek/

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

EngagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

feeblyadverbUS /ˈfiːbli/

in a faint and feeble manner

From this reading "Ausonius!" she said feebly.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Her first glance rested on the Prefect.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

galleynounUS /ˈɡæli/

a large medieval vessel with a single deck propelled by sails and oars with guns at stern and prow; a complement of 1,000 men; used mainly in the Mediterranean for war and trading

From this reading The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.

GeneraladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/

a young female

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Her first glance rested on the Prefect.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Her first glance rested on the Prefect.

imperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/

relating to or associated with an empire

From this reading The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

liftedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪftəd/

held up in the air

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Her first glance rested on the Prefect.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

planverbUS /plæn/

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

PrefectnounUS /ˈpriːfekt/

a chief officer or chief magistrate

From this reading Her first glance rested on the Prefect.

preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.

restedadjectiveUS /ˈrestəd/

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading Her first glance rested on the Prefect.

RomansnounUS /ˈroʊmənz/

a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Ausonius!" she said feebly.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

Saturninus's

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

From this reading The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Ausonius!" she said feebly.

shipverbUS /ʃɪp/

transport commercially

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

tasknounUS /tæsk/

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.

townounUS /toʊ/

the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope

From this reading The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The imperial galley was preparing to tow Saturninus's boat.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

woundednounUS /ˈwuːndɪd/

people who are wounded

From this reading This plan seemed best for the wounded General, who could not easily be lifted upon the lofty deck of the ship.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Engaged in this task, the other Romans did not notice the young girl, who now sat up.

Chapter 40 of A Captive of the Roman Eagles by Felix Dahn holds 245 sentences, grouped into 49 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 40 of A Captive of the Roman Eagles contain?

Chapter 40 holds 245 sentences of A Captive of the Roman Eagles, unabridged, divided into 49 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 40 of A Captive of the Roman Eagles by Felix Dahn exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 245 sentences, grouped into 49 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 40 of A Captive of the Roman Eagles?

Work through the 49 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 49 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 40 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 40 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading A Captive of the Roman Eagles

Common questions about reading A Captive of the Roman Eagles by Felix Dahn on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Captive of the Roman Eagles?

Yes. All 4834 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #32220 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Captive of the Roman Eagles is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #32220, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Captive of the Roman Eagles take to read?

About 402 minutes of reading across 967 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in A Captive of the Roman Eagles

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Captive of the Roman Eagles, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Source
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Captive of the Roman Eagles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Footnote
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Captive of the Roman Eagles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Diphthong
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Captive of the Roman Eagles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Represented
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Captive of the Roman Eagles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.