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Amusing Prose Chap-Books
Amusing Prose Chap-Books

Chapter XIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"
They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.
"Aye," says Tom, "and where do you lie to-night?"
They told him they could not tell.
"Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."
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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.

Amusing Prose Chap-Books

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"
Line 2
They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.
Line 3
"Aye," says Tom, "and where do you lie to-night?"
Line 4
They told him they could not tell.
/ðeɪ told hɪm ðeɪ kʊd nɑːt tell/
Line 5
"Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “_How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “They told him they could not tell.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.”

Nay exclamation US /neɪ/

an old word for “no”

From this reading “"Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “_How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They told him they could not tell.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “_How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

Aye

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

From this reading "Aye," says Tom, "and where do you lie to-night?"

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

bring

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

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

came

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

Company

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

contented

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

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading They told him they could not tell.

dangers

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

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

day

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Aye," says Tom, "and where do you lie to-night?"

dry

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

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

ensuing

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

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

fortunes

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

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

Gypsies

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

happened

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading They told him they could not tell.

How

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

lie

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

From this reading "Aye," says Tom, "and where do you lie to-night?"

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

made

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

met

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

NayexclamationUS /neɪ/

an old word for “no”

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

night

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

people

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

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

said

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

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

says

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

From this reading "Aye," says Tom, "and where do you lie to-night?"

served

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

straw

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

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

there

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

thereby

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

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

to-night

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

From this reading "Aye," says Tom, "and where do you lie to-night?"

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They told him they could not tell.

Tom

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

town

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They said they came to town to tell the people their fortunes, that thereby they might understand ensuing dangers.

very

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

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

warm

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

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading _How Tom, served a Company of Gypsies._ It happened on a day, towards night, that there came a company of gypsies into a town, and had not very long been there till Tom met them, and asked them, "What they made there?"

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading "Aye," says Tom, "and where do you lie to-night?"

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Nay," said Tom, "if you will be contented to lie in straw, I will bring you where you may lie dry and warm."

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Aye," says Tom, "and where do you lie to-night?"