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The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter CXIV

The recent events formed the theme of conversation throughout all Paris.

Chapter 114, section 1: It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean. The heat of the day had gradually d
Context Illustration Reading 1/61 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.
The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.
A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.
A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.
The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.
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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.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter CXIV

Reading 1/61 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.
Line 2
The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.
Line 3
A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.
Line 4
A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.
Line 5
The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.
All words in this reading · 84

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 The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

arose

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

autumnal

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

awakening

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

blue

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

breeze

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

burning

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

chaste

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

coasts

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

Dardanelles

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

day

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

decreased

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

delicious

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

descendednounUS /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

dews

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

elegant

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

evening

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

extending

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

form

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

fresh

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

Gibraltar

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

gliding

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

golden

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

gradually

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

heat

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

immense

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

lake

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

light

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

like

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

Mediterranean

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

mingled

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

nature

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

night

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

o'clock

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

ocean

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

opal-colored

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

opened

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

From this reading The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

perfume

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

plants

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

played

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

rays

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

resembled

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

From this reading The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.

respiration

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

sea

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

seeming

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

shed

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

shore

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

siesta

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

six

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

smell

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

south

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

From this reading The heat of the day had gradually decreased, and a light breeze arose, seeming like the respiration of nature on awakening from the burning siesta of the south.

sun

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

swan

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

From this reading The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.

sweet

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.

Tunis

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

Venice

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

vessel

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

From this reading The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.

wafted

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

water

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

From this reading The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It was about six o’clock in the evening; an opal-colored light, through which an autumnal sun shed its golden rays, descended on the blue ocean.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.

wings

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

From this reading The vessel resembled a swan with its wings opened towards the wind, gliding on the water.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

yacht

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

From this reading A light yacht, chaste and elegant in its form, was gliding amidst the first dews of night over the immense lake, extending from Gibraltar to the Dardanelles, and from Tunis to Venice.

zephyr

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

From this reading A delicious zephyr played along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and wafted from shore to shore the sweet perfume of plants, mingled with the fresh smell of the sea.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 112: The Departure?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "The recent events formed the theme of conversation throughout all...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: The recent events formed the theme of conversation throughout all
Narrator: Cristo remained on the same spot until Maximilian was out of sight; he