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A Thorny Path — Complete
A Thorny Path — Complete

Chapter XXIV

Cover illustration for A Thorny Path — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/54 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Thorny Path — Complete

Chapter XXIV

Reading 1/54 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
Line 2
Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
Line 3
Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
Line 4
Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
Line 5
As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

Learner Dictionary

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

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

Adventus

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

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

ambassadors

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

antechamber

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

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

beard

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

bright

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

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

called

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

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

calm

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

Caracalla

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

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

cautious

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

costume

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

country

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

curling

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

cushions

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

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

day

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

From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

door

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

dressed

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

From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

elderly

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

emperor

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

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

endeavoring

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

escaping

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

face

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

finely

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

flew

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

followed

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

framing

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

gold

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

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

gorgeous

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

grasped

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

hand

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

head

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

From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

heroic

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

hilt

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

how

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

interpreter

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

ivory

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

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

laurel

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

From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

locks

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

magnificently

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

From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

man

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

Melissa

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

molded

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

neighbor

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

noticed

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

Parthian

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

personages

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

Philostratus

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

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

preceding

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

From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

raised

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

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

Scarcely

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

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

scarlet

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

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

scribes

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

seated

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

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

seven

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

several

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

sinewy

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

stately

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

streamed

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

sword

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

tablinum

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.

thick

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

throne

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

From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

tiara

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

warrior

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

wearing

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

From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.

wore

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

From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

wreath

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From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.

young

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From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.