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 Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
acids
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From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
affect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
affected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
Age
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From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
all
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From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
appearing
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From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
appears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
Arguento
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
arising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
certainty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
changing
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From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
Chronicles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
compulsion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
concerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
convinced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
curiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
date
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
dates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
doubts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
eldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
element
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
elusive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
extent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
Golden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
gravely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
Harez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
heights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
historian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
ignorance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
III
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
IV
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
magic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
melt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
mercurial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
metals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
oaths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
partly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
patient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
precincts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
protects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
quantities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
renders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
research
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
Spain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
wealth or financial means
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
tiptoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After long and patient research I am still unable to give to the reader of these Chronicles the exact date of the times that they tell of.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
Valladolid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
Valleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
watchful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, magic, even in small quantities, appears to affect time, much as acids affect some metals, curiously changing its substance, until dates seem to melt into a mercurial form that renders them elusive even to the eye of the most watchful historian.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Were it merely a matter of history there could be no doubts about the period; but where magic is concerned, to however slight an extent, there must always be some element of mystery, arising partly out of ignorance and partly from the compulsion of those oaths by which magic protects its precincts from the tiptoe of curiosity.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Being convinced that his end was nearly come, and having lived long on earth (and all those years in Spain, in the golden time), the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, whose heights see not Valladolid, called for his eldest son.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the magic appearing in Chronicles III and IV that has gravely affected the date, so that all I can tell the reader with certainty of the period is that it fell in the later years of the Golden Age in Spain.
