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A Thorny Path — Volume 05
A Thorny Path — Volume 05

Chapter II

Cover illustration for A Thorny Path — Volume 05
Context Illustration Reading 1/59 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Before sunrise the wind changed.
Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.
By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.
Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.
His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Thorny Path — Volume 05

Chapter II

Reading 1/59 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Before sunrise the wind changed.
Line 2
Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.
Line 3
By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.
Line 4
Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.
Line 5
His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before sunrise the wind changed.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.”

Philosophy noun US /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/

The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)

From this reading “His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before sunrise the wind changed.”

Worthy adjective US /ˈwɜːr.ði/

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading “His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

aim

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

Alexandria

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

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

allowed

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

ancients

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

Apolonius

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before sunrise the wind changed.

blew

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

bore

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

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

breeze

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

changed

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

From this reading Before sunrise the wind changed.

character

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

Christians

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

clear

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

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

clouds

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

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

cold

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

darkening

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

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

doctrines

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

down

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

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

example

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

faith

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

filling

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

formed

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

Greek

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

Heavy

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

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

history

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

imitation

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

lake

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

less

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

lord

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

man

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

many-branched

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

market

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

midnight

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

north

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

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

nourished

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

only

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

philosophynounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/

The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

Philostratus

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

produced

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

prove

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

raining

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

religion

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

sitting

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

sky

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

From this reading Heavy clouds bore down from the north, darkening the clear sky of Alexandria.

sleep

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

sunrise

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

From this reading Before sunrise the wind changed.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Before sunrise the wind changed.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

torrents

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

town

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

tree

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

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.

Tyana

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

From this reading Philostratus had only allowed himself a short time for sleep, sitting till long after midnight over his history of Apolonius of Tyana.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading By the time the market was filling it was raining in torrents, and a cold breeze blew over the town from the lake.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before sunrise the wind changed.

worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading His aim was to prove, by the example of this man, that a character not less worthy of imitation than that of the lord of the Christians might be formed in the faith of the ancients, and nourished by doctrines produced by the many-branched tree of Greek religion and philosophy.