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 In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
accommodation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
Aegean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
aimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
alabaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The columns of the peristyle were of dazzling alabaster, with their capitals richly gilt.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
Antagoras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
Asia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
awning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
Byzantine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
Byzantium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
capitals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The columns of the peristyle were of dazzling alabaster, with their capitals richly gilt.
carry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
cede
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
chiefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
Chios
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
civilization
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
columns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The columns of the peristyle were of dazzling alabaster, with their capitals richly gilt.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
criticism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
dazzling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The columns of the peristyle were of dazzling alabaster, with their capitals richly gilt.
declinenounUS /dɪˈklaɪn/
a gradual loss of health and strength
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
embroidered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
entertainment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
extent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
extravagance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
feasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
feasters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
gilt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The columns of the peristyle were of dazzling alabaster, with their capitals richly gilt.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
gorgeous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
Hellenic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
immense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
lavish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
looms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
luxury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
Mede
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
modern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
monarch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
noble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
officers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
parade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
Pausanias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
paying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
peristyle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
Persian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
pomp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
preceded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
purple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
refinements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
richly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The columns of the peristyle were of dazzling alabaster, with their capitals richly gilt.
rival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
roofless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
ruined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
shaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
Sicily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
sojourner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
splendournounUS /ˈsplendər/
magnificent and impressive appearance
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
spoil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
States
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
subjects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
submitverbUS /səbˈmɪt/
to accept another person's control or a difficult situation
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
surpass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
tax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However modern civilization may in some things surpass the ancient, it is certainly not in luxury and splendour.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
venture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
voluptuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The space above was roofless; but an immense awning of purple, richly embroidered in Persian looms--a spoil of some gorgeous Mede--shaded the feasters from the summer sky.
wealthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The columns of the peristyle were of dazzling alabaster, with their capitals richly gilt.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The columns of the peristyle were of dazzling alabaster, with their capitals richly gilt.
wondrousadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndrəs/
strange, beautiful, and impressive
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading And although the Hellenic States had not, at that period, aimed at the pomp of show and the refinements of voluptuous pleasure which preceded their decline; and although they never did carry luxury to the wondrous extent which it reached in Asia, or even in Sicily, yet even at that time a wealthy sojourner in such a city as Byzantium could command an entertainment that no monarch in our age would venture to parade before royal guests, and submit to the criticism of tax paying subjects.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an immense peristyle of a house which a Byzantine noble, ruined by lavish extravagance, had been glad to cede to the accommodation of Antagoras and other officers of Chios, the young rival of Pausanias feasted the chiefs of the Aegean.
