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Arachne — Complete
Arachne — Complete

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for Arachne — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.
Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.
The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.
The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.
But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.
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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.

Arachne — Complete

Chapter XV

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.
Line 2
Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.
Line 3
The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.
Line 4
The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.
Line 5
But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.”

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.”

Radiant adjective US /ˈreɪdiənt/

shining brightly

From this reading “Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

agreed

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

air

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

Aphrodite

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

approaching

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

From this reading When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

clouds

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

coming

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

commanded

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

considerable

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

contending

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

conversation

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

crimson

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

Cyprian

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

damp

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

dark

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

darkness

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

departure

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

Dioscuri

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

dyed

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

Egypt

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

experienced

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

expressed

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

eye

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

From this reading Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.

fear

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

fleet

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

foam-born

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

gayest

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

god

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

goddess

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

From this reading Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

hardly

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

heaven

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

From this reading Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.

horizon

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

From this reading When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.

illumine

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

Light

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

From this reading Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.

mariners

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

mists

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

From this reading Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.

night

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.

offered

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

old

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

oppressive

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

Philippus

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

pointed

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

protectors

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

Ptolemies

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiənt/

shining brightly

From this reading Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.

sacrifices

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

Selene

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

several

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

ship's

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

sight

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

silvery

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

size

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

small

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

spirits

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

started

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

From this reading When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.

stratus

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

sultry

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

sun

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

From this reading When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

to-day

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

travellers

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

From this reading When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.

turn

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

From this reading But before the departure the travellers had offered sacrifices to the foam-born Cyprian Aphrodite and the Dioscuri, the protectors of mariners, and the conversation took the gayest turn.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

usually

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

vanished

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

veiled

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

From this reading Light mists veiled the radiant right eye of the goddess of heaven.

vessel

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

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.

west

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

western

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

From this reading When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When the sun was approaching the western horizon the travellers started.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The blood of the contending spirits of light and darkness, which usually dyed the west of Egypt crimson at the departure of the great sun god, to-day vanished from sight.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The sultry air was damp and oppressive, and experienced old Philippus, who had commanded a fleet of considerable size under the first Ptolemies, agreed with the captain of the vessel, who pointed to several small dark clouds under the silvery stratus, and expressed the fear that Selene would hardly illumine the ship's course during the coming night.