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Secret History
Secret History

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of Secret History is here in full — 48 sentences across 10 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/9 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.
Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.
We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.
As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.
Every thing belonging to us had been left in the schooner the English made a prize of.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Secret History

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of Secret History is here in full — 48 sentences across 10 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/9 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.
Line 2
Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.
Line 3
We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.
Line 4
As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.
Line 5
Every thing belonging to us had been left in the schooner the English made a prize of.
/ˈevəri θɪŋ bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ tuː ʌs hæd bɪn left ɪn ðə ˈskuːnər ðə ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ meɪd ə praɪz ʌv/

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.

asylum noun US /əˈsaɪləm/

a shelter from danger or hardship

From this reading “Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.”

boarded verb US /ˈbɔːrdəd/

past form of “board” — get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading “As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.”

deprived adjective US /dɪˈpraɪvd/

marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences

From this reading “_Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.”

embarked verb US /emˈbɑːrkt/

past form of “embark” — go on board

From this reading “We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.”

frigate noun US /ˈfrɪɡət/

a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries

From this reading “As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.”

harbour verb US /ˈhɑːrbər/

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading “As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.”

procure verb US /proʊˈkjʊr/

get by special effort

From this reading “_Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.”

schooner noun US /ˈskuːnər/

a large beer glass

From this reading “We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.”

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.

three days noun + noun

In this reading “As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.”

on board preposition + noun

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

In this reading “As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.”

without further preposition + adverb

In this reading “As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.”

dear friend adjective + noun

In this reading “_Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.”

receiving a letter verb + article + noun counted as “receive … letter”

In this reading “_Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.”

own country verb + noun

In this reading “Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.”

suffered much verb + particle counted as “suffer much”

In this reading “As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.”

from hence preposition + adverb

In this reading “_Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.”

All words in this reading · 125

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 _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

accustomedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌstəmd/

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

asylumnounUS /əˈsaɪləm/

a shelter from danger or hardship

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

Barracoa

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

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading Every thing belonging to us had been left in the schooner the English made a prize of.

boardnounUS /bɔːrd/

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

boardedverbUS /ˈbɔːrdəd/

past form of “board” — get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

boatnounUS /boʊt/

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/

confined by bonds

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/

the people of Great Britain

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

CapenounUS /keɪp/

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

ceremonynounUS /ˈserəmoʊni/

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

Clara

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

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

condemnedverbUS /kənˈdemd/

past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

considerverbUS /kənˈsɪdər/

deem to be

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

deprivedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpraɪvd/

marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

doubtnounUS /daʊt/

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

effectualadjective

producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

embarkedverbUS /emˈbɑːrkt/

past form of “embark” — go on board

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading Every thing belonging to us had been left in the schooner the English made a prize of.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

friendnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

frigatenounUS /ˈfrɪɡət/

a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

furtheradverbUS /ˈfɜːrðər/

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Every thing belonging to us had been left in the schooner the English made a prize of.

harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

henceadverbUS /hens/

for this reason

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

ignorantadjectiveUS /ˈɪɡnərənt/

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

Jago

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

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

languagenounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒ/

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Every thing belonging to us had been left in the schooner the English made a prize of.

letternounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Every thing belonging to us had been left in the schooner the English made a prize of.

metverbUS /met/

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

necessaries

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

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

prizenounUS /praɪz/

something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery

From this reading Every thing belonging to us had been left in the schooner the English made a prize of.

procureverbUS /proʊˈkjʊr/

get by special effort

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

propertynounUS /ˈprɑːpərti/

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

provisionsnounUS /prəˈvɪʒənz/

a stock or supply of foods

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/

-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/

a large beer glass

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

sixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

soughtadjectiveUS /sɔːt/

that is looked for

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

St

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

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

strangersnounUS /ˈstreɪndʒərz/

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

sufferedverbUS /ˈsʌfərd/

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

sympathynounUS /ˈsɪmpəθi/

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

vesselnounUS /ˈvesəl/

a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading As soon as we were out of the harbour a boat from a British frigate boarded us, condemned the vessel as French property, and, without further ceremony, sent the passengers on board another vessel which was lying near us, and was going to Barracoa, where we arrived in three days, after having suffered much from want of provisions and water.

womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading We embarked at the Cape, Clara, myself and six servants, in a small schooner, which was full of women, and bound to St. Jago.

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet here we have found an asylum, and met with sympathy; not that of words, but active and effectual sympathy, from strangers, which, perhaps, we should have sought in vain in our own country, and among our own people.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _Barracoa._ You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from hence, but here we are my dear friend, deprived of every thing we possessed, in a strange country, of whose language we are ignorant, and where, even with money, it would be impossible to procure what we have been accustomed to consider as the necessaries of life.

Chapter 16 of Secret History by Leonora Sansay holds 48 sentences, grouped into 10 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 16 of Secret History contain?

Chapter 16 holds 48 sentences of Secret History, unabridged, divided into 10 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of Secret History by Leonora Sansay exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 48 sentences, grouped into 10 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 16 of Secret History?

Work through the 10 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 10 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 Secret History

Common questions about reading Secret History by Leonora Sansay on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Secret History?

Yes. All 1471 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59533 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Secret History is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59533, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Secret History take to read?

About 122 minutes of reading across 295 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Secret History section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 33 chapters of Secret History 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 Secret History

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

General
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Secret History; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rochambeau
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Secret History; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Printer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Secret History; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Preface
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Secret History; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.