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Othmar
Othmar

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Othmar is here in full — 291 sentences across 59 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Othmar
Context Illustration Reading 1/58 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
'_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.
It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.
Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.
Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.
In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Othmar

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Othmar is here in full — 291 sentences across 59 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/58 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
'_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.
Line 2
It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.
/ɪt wɑːz ə ˈɡoʊldən ˈɑːɡəst ˌæftərˈnuːn təˈwɔːrdz ðə kloʊs ʌv ə deɪ wɪtʃ hæd bɪn hɑːt ˈfreɪɡrənt fʊl ʌv ˈlʌvli laɪts ənd ˈʃædoʊz/
Line 3
Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.
Line 4
Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.
Line 5
In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

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.

bastions noun US /ˈbæstʃənz/

plural of “bastion” — a group that defends a principle

From this reading “Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.”

Borgia noun US /ˈbɔːrdʒə/

Italian pope whose nepotism put the Borgia family in power in Italy (1378-1458)

From this reading “'_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.”

densest adjective US /ˈdensəst/

superlative of “dense” — permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading “In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.”

shelved verb US /ʃelvd/

past form of “shelve” — hold back to a later time

From this reading “Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.”

smooth-shaven adjective US /ˌsmuːθˈʃeɪvən/

closely shaved recently

From this reading “Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.”

staircases noun US /ˈsterkeɪsɪz/

plural of “staircase” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading “Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.”

tangles noun US /ˈtæŋɡəlz/

plural of “tangle” — a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven

From this reading “In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.”

tournaments noun US /ˈtɜːrnəmənts/

plural of “tournament” — a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner

From this reading “'_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

red glow noun + noun

In this reading “Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.”

stone staircases noun + noun counted as “stone staircase”

In this reading “Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.”

hear the sounds verb + article + noun counted as “hear … sound”

In this reading “In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.”

In the woods preposition + article + noun counted as “in … woods”

In this reading “In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.”

from the west preposition + article + noun counted as “from … west”

In this reading “Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.”

on a hill preposition + article + noun counted as “on … hill”

In this reading “Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.”

in imitation preposition + noun

In this reading “'_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.”

in the sun preposition + article + noun counted as “in … sun”

In this reading “Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.”

All words in this reading · 138

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

aerialnounUS /ˈeriəl/

a pass to a receiver downfield from the passer

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

AugustnounUS /ˈɑːɡəst/

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

bastionsnounUS /ˈbæstʃənz/

plural of “bastion” — a group that defends a principle

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

bedsnounUS /bedz/

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

beeches

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

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

blossomverbUS /ˈblɑːsəm/

produce or yield flowers

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

blush-colour

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

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

boars

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

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

BorgianounUS /ˈbɔːrdʒə/

Italian pope whose nepotism put the Borgia family in power in Italy (1378-1458)

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

bowersnounUS /ˈbaʊərz/

plural of “bower” — a framework that supports climbing plants

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

brackennounUS /ˈbrækən/

fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

canopies

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

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

castlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

caughtverbUS /kɑːt/

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

changelessnessnoun

the property of remaining unchanged

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/

a person who is in charge

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

clematisnounUS /ˈklemətɪs/

any of various ornamental climbing plants of the genus Clematis usually having showy flowers

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

colonnades

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

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

couchedverbUS /kaʊtʃt/

past form of “couch” — formulate in a particular style or language

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

CourtnounUS /kɔːrt/

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

crimsonadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmzən/

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

Death'snounUS /deθs/

possessive form of “death” — the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

deepadjectiveUS /diːp/

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

deernounUS /dɪr/

distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

densestadjectiveUS /ˈdensəst/

superlative of “dense” — permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/

coming down or downward

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/

an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

drowsyadjectiveUS /ˈdraʊzi/

half asleep

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/

ludicrously odd

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

fearverbUS /fɪr/

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

foamnounUS /foʊm/

a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

forest-trees

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/

pleasant-smelling

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

FrancenounUS /fræns/

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

glownounUS /ɡloʊ/

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

goldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

heldadjectiveUS /held/

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

hillnounUS /hɪl/

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/

characteristic of humanity

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/

the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

ItalynounUS /ˈɪtəli/

a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

laughternounUS /ˈlæftər/

the sound of laughing

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

lawnsnounUS /lɔːnz/

plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

leafagenoun

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

Life'snounUS /laɪfs/

possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

lightsnounUS /laɪts/

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

LovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

lovelyadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvli/

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

Lucrezia

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

luxuriantadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriənt/

marked by complexity and richness of detail

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

MargueritenounUS /ˌmɑːrɡərˈiːt/

tall leafy-stemmed Eurasian perennial with white flowers; widely naturalized; often placed in genus Chrysanthemum

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

meadow-sweet

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

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

meetverbUS /miːt/

come together

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

mellowadjectiveUS /ˈmeloʊ/

unhurried and relaxed

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

mightyadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪti/

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

oaksnounUS /oʊks/

plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

oleanders

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

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

osmunda

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

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

pageantries

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

rednounUS /red/

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

revivalnounUS /rɪˈvaɪvəl/

bringing again into activity and prominence

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

roofsnounUS /ruːfs/

plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

rose-garlanded

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

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

shelvedverbUS /ʃelvd/

past form of “shelve” — hold back to a later time

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

smooth-shavenadjectiveUS /ˌsmuːθˈʃeɪvən/

closely shaved recently

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/

relating to human society and its members

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

soundsnounUS /saʊndz/

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

staircasesnounUS /ˈsterkeɪsɪz/

plural of “staircase” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/

impressive in appearance

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/

having a sharp inclination

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

stonenounUS /stoʊn/

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/

doomed to extinction

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

tanglesnounUS /ˈtæŋɡəlz/

plural of “tangle” — a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

thicketsnounUS /ˈθɪkəts/

plural of “thicket” — a dense growth of bushes

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

Throned

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

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/

plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

tournamentsnounUS /ˈtɜːrnəmənts/

plural of “tournament” — a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading It was a golden August afternoon, towards the close of a day which had been hot, fragrant, full of lovely lights and shadows.

UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

ValoisnounUS /vælˈwɑː/

French royal house from 1328 to 1589

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

waftedverbUS /ˈwɑːftɪd/

past form of “waft” — be driven or carried along, as by the air

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/

the sensation caused by heat energy

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

westnounUS /west/

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading '_I fear Life's many changes; not Death's changelessness_' Under the forest-trees of a stately place there was held a Court of Love, in imitation and revival of those pretty pageantries and tournaments of tongues which were the chief social and royal diversion of the Italy of Lucrezia Borgia and the France of Marguerite de Valois.

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

windlessadjective

without or almost without wind

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Its steep roofs were as sheets of silver in the sun, its many windows caught the red glow from the west, and its bastions shelved downward to meet smooth-shaven lawns and thickets of oleanders luxuriant with blossom, crimson, white, or blush-colour.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Throned on a hill a mighty castle rose, aerial, fantastic, stately, with its colonnades of stone rose-garlanded, and its stone staircases descending into bowers of foliage and foam of flowers.

woodsnounUS /wʊdz/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading In the woods around, the oaks and beeches were heavy with their densest leafage; the deer couched under high canopies of bracken and osmunda; and the wild boars, sunk deep in tangles of wild clematis and beds of meadow-sweet, were too drowsy in the mellow warmth to hear the sounds of human laughter which were wafted to them on the windless air.

Chapter 1 of Othmar by Ouida holds 291 sentences, grouped into 59 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, 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 1 of Othmar contain?

Chapter 1 holds 291 sentences of Othmar, unabridged, divided into 59 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Othmar by Ouida exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 291 sentences, grouped into 59 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 1 of Othmar?

Work through the 59 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 59 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Othmar

Common questions about reading Othmar by Ouida on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Othmar?

Yes. All 8671 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #51487 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Othmar is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #51487, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Othmar take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1735 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Othmar section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Othmar to begin.

  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 Othmar

Words and structures a reader meets early in Othmar, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Life's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Othmar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Changes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Othmar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Death's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Othmar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Changelessness
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Othmar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.