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A Struggle for Rome, V. 2
A Struggle for Rome, V. 2

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for A Struggle for Rome, V. 2
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Struggle for Rome, V. 2

Chapter VII

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.
Line 2
She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.
Line 3
He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.
Line 4
At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.
Line 5
This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

Learner Dictionary

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

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

altars

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

belonging

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

Capuana

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

close

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

conferences

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

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

court

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

daily

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

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.

Earl

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

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.

erected

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

experienced

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

fortifications

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

frequently

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

fruit

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

garden

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

gates

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

gratefully

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

greatest

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

greeted

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

guests

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.

held

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

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

important

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

Isaac's

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

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

joy

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

keenest

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

known

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

lay

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

loved

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

man

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

meal

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

Minerva

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

Miriam

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

more

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

narrow

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

obliged

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

often

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

old

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

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.

originally

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

place

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

Porta

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

presence

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

principal

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

served

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

simple

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

slip

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

small

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

sorrow

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

sun

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

Temple

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

times

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

Totila

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

tower

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

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.

towns

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

Uliaris

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

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

used

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

various

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

visit

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

From this reading She could sun herself more frequently than ever in the presence of the man she loved, for the Porta Capuana was an important point of the fortifications, and Totila was obliged to visit it often.

wall-protectress

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

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

walls

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was at this time that Miriam experienced the greatest joy and the keenest sorrow that she had ever known.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This place had been, originally, a small court belonging to an ancient Temple of Minerva, the "wall-protectress," to whom altars had been gratefully erected at the principal gates of various towns.

wine

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

From this reading At such times Miriam, when she had greeted the guests, and served the simple meal of fruit and wine, used to slip into the narrow little garden which lay close under the walls of the tower.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He daily held conferences with Earl Uliaris in old Isaac's tower.