A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper is here in full — 124 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By James De Mille • Curated US English Learning Edition

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THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

In the midst arose a lofty pyramid, and as I looked at it I could not refrain from shuddering; for it looked like the public altar, upon which in due time I should be compelled to make my appearance, and be offered up as a victim to the terrific superstitions of the Kosekin.

Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XVIII Reading 1/24

A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper James De Mille

Chapter XVIII

Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper is here in full — 124 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance. Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third. Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open. In the midst arose a lofty pyramid, and as I looked at it I could not refrain from shuddering; for it looked like the public altar, upon which in due time I should be compelled to make my appearance, and be offered up as a victim to the terrific superstitions of the Kosekin. Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper is here in full — 124 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

/ðə ˈwʌndərz ʌv ðə əˈmɪr wiː wɜːr drɔːn ɑːn kɑːrz ʌp tuː ðə fɜːrst ˈterəst striːt ənd hiːr wiː faʊnd ðə væst ˈmʌltətuːd wɪtʃ wiː hæd siːn frʌm ə ˈdɪstəns/

Line 2

Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

/ˈkrɔːsɪŋ ðɪs striːt wiː əˈsendɪd ənd keɪm tuː əˈnʌðər prɪˈsaɪsli laɪk ɪt ðen stɪl ˈɡoʊɪŋ ɑːn wiː keɪm tuː ə θɜːrd/

Line 3

Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

/hiːr ðer wɑːz æn ˌɪˈmens speɪs nɑːt ˌoʊvərˈɡroʊn wɪð triːz laɪk ðə striːts bʌt ˈpɜːrfəktli ˈoʊ.pən/

Line 4

Line 5

Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

/ˈkrɔːsɪŋ ðɪs ɡreɪt skwer wiː keɪm tuː ə væst ˈpɔːrtəl wɪtʃ ˈoʊpənd ˈɪntuː ə ˈkæv.ərn wɪð ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ laɪts/

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.

amir noun US /əˈmɪr/

an independent ruler or chieftain (especially in Africa or Arabia)

From this reading “THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.”

overgrown adjective US /ˌoʊvərˈɡroʊn/

covered with growing plants

From this reading “Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.”

portal noun US /ˈpɔːrtəl/

a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)

From this reading “Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.”

pyramid verb US /ˈpɪrəmɪd/

enlarge one's holdings on an exchange on a continued rise by using paper profits as margin to buy additional amounts

From this reading “In the midst arose a lofty pyramid, and as I looked at it I could not refrain from shuddering; for it looked like the public altar, upon which in due time I should be compelled to make my appearance, and be offered up as a victim to the terrific superstitions of the Kosekin.”

shuddering adjective US /ˈʃʌdərɪŋ/

shaking convulsively or violently

superstitions noun US /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/

plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

terraced verb US /ˈterəst/

past form of “terrace” — provide (a house) with a terrace

From this reading “THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.”

twinkling noun US /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading “Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.”

All words in this reading · 87

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/

the table in Christian churches where communion is given

From this reading In the midst arose a lofty pyramid, and as I looked at it I could not refrain from shuddering; for it looked like the public altar, upon which in due time I should be compelled to make my appearance, and be offered up as a victim to the terrific superstitions of the Kosekin.

AMIRnounUS /əˈmɪr/

an independent ruler or chieftain (especially in Africa or Arabia)

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

aroseverbUS /ərˈoʊz/

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/

past form of “ascend” — travel up

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

carsnounUS /kɑːrz/

plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

compelledverbUS /kəmˈpeld/

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

CrossingnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/

traveling across

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

dueadjectiveUS /duː/

owed and payable immediately or on demand

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

immenseadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmens/

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

Kosekin

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

lightsnounUS /laɪts/

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/

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

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

midstnounUS /mɪdst/

the location of something surrounded by other things

multitudenounUS /ˈmʌltətuːd/

a large indefinite number

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

overgrownadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈɡroʊn/

covered with growing plants

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

perfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

portalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəl/

a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)

From this reading Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/

people in general considered as a whole

pyramidverbUS /ˈpɪrəmɪd/

enlarge one's holdings on an exchange on a continued rise by using paper profits as margin to buy additional amounts

refrainverbUS /rɪˈfreɪn/

resist doing something

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

shudderingadjectiveUS /ˈʃʌdərɪŋ/

shaking convulsively or violently

spacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

squareverbUS /skwer/

make square

From this reading Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

streetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

streetsnounUS /striːts/

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

superstitionsnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/

plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

terracedverbUS /ˈterəst/

past form of “terrace” — provide (a house) with a terrace

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/

very great or intense

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

vastadjectiveUS /væst/

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

victimnounUS /ˈvɪktəm/

an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

WONDERSnounUS /ˈwʌndərz/

plural of “wonder” — the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

Chapter 18 of A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper by James De Mille holds 124 sentences, grouped into 25 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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.

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Chapter 18 holds 124 sentences of A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper, unabridged, divided into 25 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper by James De Mille exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 124 sentences, grouped into 25 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.

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Vocabulary met early in A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper

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Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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