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The Red Tavern
The Red Tavern

Chapter XV

Chapter 15 of The Red Tavern is here in full — 132 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By C. R. (Charles Raymond) Macauley • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Red Tavern
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.
Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.
Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.
The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.
Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.
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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 Red Tavern

Chapter XV

Chapter 15 of The Red Tavern is here in full — 132 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.
Line 2
Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.
/ˈtaʊərɪŋ raʊnd əˈbaʊt ðem wɜːr ðə rʌf wɔːlz ʌv ðə hjuːdʒ ˈkæsəl/
Line 3
Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.
Line 4
The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.
/ðə ˈmiːtɪŋ tɜːrnd aʊt tuː biː bʌt ðə ˈmerəst ˈtraɪfəl fɔːr ðə jʌŋ naɪt/
Line 5
Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

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.

arts noun US /ɑːrts/

studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)

From this reading “Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
combatants noun US /kəmˈbætənts/

plural of “combatant” — someone who fights (or is fighting)

From this reading “Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
damp adjective US /dæmp/

slightly wet

From this reading “Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
duels noun US /ˈduːəlz/

plural of “duel” — a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor

From this reading “OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
merest adjective US /ˈmerəst/

superlative of “mere” — being nothing more than specified

From this reading “The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
multiple adjective US /ˈmʌltəpəl/

having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual

From this reading “Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sprouted adjective US /ˈspraʊtɪd/

(of growing vegetation) having just emerged from the ground

From this reading “Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Towering adjective US /ˈtaʊərɪŋ/

of imposing height; especially standing out above others

From this reading “Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

merest trifle adjective + noun counted as “mere trifle”

In this reading “The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.”

1,145 times in 225,867 chapters
at the bottom preposition + article + noun counted as “at … bottom”

In this reading “Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.”

21,590 times in 225,867 chapters
bright eyes adjective + noun

In this reading “Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.”

5,473 times in 225,867 chapters
young knight adjective + noun

In this reading “The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.”

1,727 times in 225,867 chapters
rough walls adjective + noun counted as “rough wall”

In this reading “Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.”

203 times in 225,867 chapters

All words in this reading · 74

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 OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
artsnounUS /ɑːrts/

studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)

From this reading Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
bailey-courts

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

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Pending verification
battlenounUS /ˈbætəl/

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bottomnounUS /ˈbɑːtəm/

the lower side of anything

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
castlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CLAVERLOK'S

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

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Pending verification
combatantsnounUS /kəmˈbætənts/

plural of “combatant” — someone who fights (or is fighting)

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/

slightly wet

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dawnnounUS /dɔːn/

the first light of day

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DEnounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DUELSnounUS /ˈduːəlz/

plural of “duel” — a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DukenounUS /duːk/

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
embrasurenoun

an opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Francis

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

From this reading Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

Pending verification
gazingverbUS /ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hugeadjectiveUS /hjuːdʒ/

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
knightnounUS /naɪt/

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
largeradjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒər/

large or big relative to something else

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
meetingnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋ/

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
merestadjectiveUS /ˈmerəst/

superlative of “mere” — being nothing more than specified

From this reading The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
multipleadjectiveUS /ˈmʌltəpəl/

having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pastnounUS /pæst/

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PERILnounUS /ˈperəl/

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
REMARKABLEadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl/

unusual or striking

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Richard

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

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

Pending verification
roughadjectiveUS /rʌf/

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SERIESnounUS /ˈsɪriz/

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sproutedadjectiveUS /ˈspraʊtɪd/

(of growing vegetation) having just emerged from the ground

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
taughtverbUS /tɔːt/

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/

in an exhaustive manner

From this reading Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ToweringadjectiveUS /ˈtaʊərɪŋ/

of imposing height; especially standing out above others

From this reading Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
triflenounUS /ˈtraɪfəl/

a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/

moved around an axis or center

From this reading The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
war-craft

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

From this reading Duke Francis was a past master of the arts of war-craft and had taught him thoroughly well.

Pending verification
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Sir Richard noted that every embrasure had suddenly sprouted a multiple of bright eyes, all gazing down at the combatants making ready to begin their battle at the bottom of the damp well.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Towering round about them were the rough walls of the huge castle.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading OF A SERIES OF REMARKABLE DUELS, AND DE CLAVERLOK'S PERIL Their meeting place was within the larger of the bailey-courts, when day was just on the dawn.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The meeting turned out to be but the merest trifle for the young knight.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 15 of The Red Tavern by C. R. (Charles Raymond) Macauley holds 132 sentences, grouped into 27 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 15 of The Red Tavern contain?

Chapter 15 holds 132 sentences of The Red Tavern, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 15 of The Red Tavern by C. R. (Charles Raymond) Macauley exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 132 sentences, grouped into 27 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 15 of The Red Tavern?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 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 15 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 15 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 The Red Tavern

Common questions about reading The Red Tavern by C. R. (Charles Raymond) Macauley on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Red Tavern?

Yes. All 3929 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #44182 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Red Tavern is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #44182, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Red Tavern take to read?

About 327 minutes of reading across 786 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Red Tavern section by section

How to work through The Red Tavern section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 27 chapters of The Red Tavern 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 The Red Tavern

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Red Tavern, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Https
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Tavern; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hearest
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Tavern; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Voices
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Tavern; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Yonder
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Tavern; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.