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Four Arthurian Romances
Four Arthurian Romances

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Four Arthurian Romances is here in full — 203 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
(Vv.
1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.
In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.
He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.
He cannot help giving her a kiss.
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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.

Four Arthurian Romances

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Four Arthurian Romances is here in full — 203 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
(Vv.
Line 2
1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.
Line 3
In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.
/ɪn hɪz ædˈventʃər hiː tʊk ɡreɪt ˌsætəˈsfækʃən fɔːr naʊ hiː hæd ə ˈleɪdi ˈpæsɪŋ fer dɪˈskriːt ˈkɜːrtiəs ənd ˌdebəˈner/
Line 4
He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.
/hiː kʊd nɑːt lʊk æt hɜːr ɪˈnʌf fɔːr ðə mɔːr hiː lʊks æt hɜːr ðə mɔːr ʃiː ˈpliːzɪz hɪm/
Line 5
He cannot help giving her a kiss.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

adventure verb US /ædˈventʃər/

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading “In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.”

courteous adjective US /ˈkɜːrtiəs/

exhibiting courtesy and politeness

From this reading “In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.”

debonair adjective US /ˌdebəˈner/

having a sophisticated charm

From this reading “In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.”

discreet adjective US /dɪˈskriːt/

marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

From this reading “In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.”

host noun US /hoʊst/

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading “1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.”

pleases verb US /ˈpliːzɪz/

third-person singular of “please” — give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading “He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.”

quit verb US /kwɪt/

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading “1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.”

satisfaction noun US /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading “In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.”

All words in this reading · 47

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1479

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

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

1690

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

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

adventureverbUS /ædˈventʃər/

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/

eagerly desirous

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

cannot

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

From this reading He cannot help giving her a kiss.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

courtnounUS /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

courteousadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrtiəs/

exhibiting courtesy and politeness

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

debonairadjectiveUS /ˌdebəˈner/

having a sophisticated charm

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

discreetadjectiveUS /dɪˈskriːt/

marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

Erec

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

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

fairadjectiveUS /fer/

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/

the act of giving

From this reading He cannot help giving her a kiss.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading He cannot help giving her a kiss.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

hostnounUS /hoʊst/

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

kissnounUS /kɪs/

the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)

From this reading He cannot help giving her a kiss.

ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

looksnounUS /lʊks/

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

pleasesverbUS /ˈpliːzɪz/

third-person singular of “please” — give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

quitverbUS /kwɪt/

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

reachverbUS /riːtʃ/

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He could not look at her enough: for the more he looks at her, the more she pleases him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading In his adventure he took great satisfaction; for now he had a lady passing fair, discreet, courteous, and debonair.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

Vv

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

From this reading (Vv.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading 1479-1690.) Erec quit his host; for he was very anxious to reach the royal court.

Chapter 4 of Four Arthurian Romances by de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien holds 203 sentences, grouped into 41 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 4 of Four Arthurian Romances contain?

Chapter 4 holds 203 sentences of Four Arthurian Romances, unabridged, divided into 41 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Four Arthurian Romances by de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 203 sentences, grouped into 41 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 4 of Four Arthurian Romances?

Work through the 41 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 41 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Four Arthurian Romances

Common questions about reading Four Arthurian Romances by de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Four Arthurian Romances?

Yes. All 9290 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #831 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Four Arthurian Romances is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #831, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Four Arthurian Romances take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1858 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Four Arthurian Romances section by section

How to work through Four Arthurian Romances section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Four Arthurian Romances

Words and structures a reader meets early in Four Arthurian Romances, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Century
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Arthurian Romances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Originally
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Arthurian Romances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Written
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Arthurian Romances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
French
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Arthurian Romances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.