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Romance Island
Romance Island

Chapter XVIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.
Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.
The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.
There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.
A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Romance Island

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.
Line 2
Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.
Line 3
The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.
Line 4
There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.
Line 5
A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.

Learner Dictionary

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

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.”

Dream noun US /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading “There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.”

Forgotten adjective US /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading “The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.”

MORNING noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

actuality

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

all

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

animals

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

beauty

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

BecauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

burnished

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

carved

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

chain

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

checker-work

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

columns

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

crucified

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

From this reading A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.

Damascus

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

day

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

decorated

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

design

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

devices

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

dyed

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

early

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

exquisite

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

fingers

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

frescoes

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

golden

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

happiness

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

high

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

From this reading A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

historic

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

hung

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

intaglio

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

laid

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

led

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

From this reading A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.

light

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

like

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

lines

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

Litany

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

marriage

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

MORNINGnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

mornings

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

Murex

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

names

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

nets

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

paced

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

Palace

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

pilasters

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

Prince

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

room

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

shrine

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

From this reading A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.

skins

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

soft

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

some

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

sphinx

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

From this reading A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.

spiral

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

splendours

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

stairway

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

From this reading A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.

Tabnit

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

tapestries

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

There

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

tiles

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

Tyrian

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

From this reading A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.

uniting

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

upper

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

veins

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

VISIT

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

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

walled

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

From this reading The room, "walled with soft splendours of Damascus tiles," was laid with skins of forgotten animals and was hung with historic tapestries dyed by ancient fingers in the spiral veins of the Murex.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There were frescoes uniting the dream with its actuality, columns carved with both lines and names of beauty, pilasters decorated with chain and checker-work and golden nets.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading A stairway led to a high shrine where hung the crucified Tyrian sphinx.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

whole

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A MORNING VISIT In an upper room in the Palace of the Litany, fair with all the burnished devices of the early light, Prince Tabnit paced on that morning of mornings of his marriage day.

world

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

From this reading Because of his great happiness the whole world seemed to him like some exquisite intaglio of which this day was the design.