Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Broken Road
The Broken Road

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for The Broken Road
Context Illustration Reading 1/50 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Broken Road

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.
Line 2
A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.
Line 3
To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.
Line 4
From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.
Line 5
Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.”

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.”

Canopy noun US /ˈkæn.ə.pi/

An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.

From this reading “A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.”

COURTYARD noun US /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading “IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.”

All words in this reading · 72

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

arches

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

Audience

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

basin

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

broad

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.

burned

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

came

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

canopynounUS /ˈkæn.ə.pi/

An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.

From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.

ceremonies

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

From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.

coolness

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

From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.

court

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

COURTYARDnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

crossed

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

darkly

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

depth

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

dim

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

From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.

downwards

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

end

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

far

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

flight

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

floated

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

floor

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

gleamed

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

glitter

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

From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

guests

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

Hall

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

investiture

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

lamp

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

led

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

light

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

From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.

Lilies

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

marble

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

out

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

paths

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

peace

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

From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.

pervaded

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

From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.

reflection

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

roofed

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

From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.

saw

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

sense

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

From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.

soft

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

From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.

spread

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

steadily

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

steps

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

surface

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

there

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

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.

thronging

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Lilies floated upon its surface, and marble paths crossed it to the steps at the far end; and here and there, in its depth, the reflection of a lamp burned steadily.

vast

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

From this reading A vast canopy roofed it in, and a soft dim light pervaded it.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.

water

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

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading From the arches a broad flight of steps led downwards to the floor, where water gleamed darkly in a marble basin.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading To those who came from the glitter of the ceremonies it brought a sense of coolness and of peace.

whole

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

From this reading IN THE COURTYARD The investiture was over, and the guests, thronging from the Hall of Audience, came out beneath arches and saw the whole length of the great marble court spread before them.