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Tarzan the Untamed
Tarzan the Untamed

Chapter XIX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/58 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.
It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.
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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.

Tarzan the Untamed

Chapter XIX

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

Line 1
The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.
Line 2
This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.
Line 3
It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.
Line 4
As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.
Line 5
Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.”

Meantime noun US /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading “The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

approached

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

arched

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

From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

Bertha

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

bottom

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

building

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

From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.

buildings

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

capital

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

column

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

conducted

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

covered

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

From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.

doorway

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

From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

edifice

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

From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.

end

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

From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.

enormous

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

entire

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

From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.

entrance

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

figures

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

From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.

flanking

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

flight

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

girl

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

guarded

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

height

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

hewn

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

human

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

image

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

images

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

Kircher

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

large

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

largest

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

latter

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

lions

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

main

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

monkeys

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

From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.

most

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

neared

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.

other

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

From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.

parrot

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

parrots

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

pedestals

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

perched

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

plaza

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

pretentious

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

Queen's

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

saw

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

semblance

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

several

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

skull

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

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

steps

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

stone

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

stories

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

Story

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

surrounding

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

there

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading As the girl neared these latter images she saw that the capital of each column was hewn into the semblance of a human skull upon which the parrots perched.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.

top

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

two

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

walls

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

From this reading Above the arched doorway and upon the walls of the building were the figures of other parrots, of lions, and of monkeys.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The Queen's Story In the meantime Bertha Kircher was conducted the length of the plaza toward the largest and most pretentious of the buildings surrounding it.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

wide

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

From this reading It was several stories in height, the main entrance being approached by a wide flight of stone steps, the bottom of which was guarded by enormous stone lions, while at the top there were two pedestals flanking the entrance and of the same height, upon each of which was the stone image of a large parrot.

width

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

From this reading This edifice covered the entire width of one end of the plaza.