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A Struggle for Rome, V. 1
A Struggle for Rome, V. 1

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for A Struggle for Rome, V. 1
Context Illustration Reading 1/56 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.
He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.
The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.
Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.
At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.
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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 Struggle for Rome, V. 1

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/56 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.
Line 2
He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.
Line 3
The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.
Line 4
Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.
Line 5
At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.”

Amongst preposition US /əˈmʌŋst/

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading “Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.”

Astonished adjective US /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading “The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.”

Council noun US /council/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.”

All words in this reading · 76

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

absent

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

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

acknowledge

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

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

Amalaswintha

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

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

AmongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

apartments

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

assembled

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

assumed

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

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

bade

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

Cassiodorus

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

From this reading Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.

Cethegus

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

From this reading Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.

councilnounUS /council/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

court

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

days

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

few

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

Goths

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

highest

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

independence

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

intended

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

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

King

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.

later

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

latter

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

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

messenger

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

new

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

now

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

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

officials

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

only

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

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

prerogative

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

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

presence

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

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

Queen-regent

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

realm

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

repair

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

Romans

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

several

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

son

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

summoned

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

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

suspected

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

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Amongst these last were Cassiodorus and Cethegus.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The Queen-regent was not a little astonished when a messenger from her son bade her repair to his apartments, where the King had already assembled several of the highest officials of the realm, both Goths and Romans.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He himself summoned a council, a prerogative which, until now, had only been assumed by Amalaswintha.

young

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

From this reading A few days later the court was surprised by a new step towards independence on the part of the young King.

youth

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

From this reading At first the latter had intended to absent himself, in order not by his presence to acknowledge the right which the youth had assumed; he suspected nothing good.