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The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny
The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny is here in full — 263 sentences across 53 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Louis Tracy • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny
Context Illustration Reading 1/52 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.
On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.
Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.
In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.
To him approached a Lascar.
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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 Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny is here in full — 263 sentences across 53 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/52 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.
Line 2
On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.
Line 3
Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.
Line 4
In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.
Line 5
To him approached a Lascar.

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.

Brahmin noun US /ˈbrɑːmɪn/

a member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family)

From this reading “Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Calcutta noun US /ˌkælˈkʌtə/

the largest city in India and one of the largest cities in the world; located in eastern India; suffers from poverty and overcrowding

From this reading “On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
grovel verb US /ˈɡrɑːvəl/

show submission or fear

From this reading “In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Hindu noun US /ˈhɪnduː/

a native or inhabitant of Hindustan or India

From this reading “In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
kansas noun US /ˈkænzəs/

a state in midwestern United States

From this reading “AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lowest adjective US /ˈloʊəst/

lowest in rank or importance

From this reading “Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
parade noun US /pərˈeɪd/

a ceremonial procession including people marching

From this reading “In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pillar noun US /ˈpɪlər/

a fundamental principle or practice

From this reading “AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.”

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.

carried on verb + particle counted as “carry on”

direct the course of; manage or control

In this reading “Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.”

20,393 times in 426,212 chapters
in the field preposition + article + noun counted as “in … field”

In this reading “In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.”

10,122 times in 426,212 chapters

All words in this reading · 73

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.

1857

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

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
approachedverbUS /əˈproʊtʃt/

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading To him approached a Lascar.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
armynounUS /ˈɑːrmi/

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
birthnounUS /bɜːrθ/

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BrahminnounUS /ˈbrɑːmɪn/

a member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family)

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Brahmins

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

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Pending verification
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
CalcuttanounUS /ˌkælˈkʌtə/

the largest city in India and one of the largest cities in the world; located in eastern India; suffers from poverty and overcrowding

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cantonmentnoun

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CAPTAINnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
caste-marks

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

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

Pending verification
CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Dum-Dum

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

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

Pending verification
ETC

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

Pending verification
fieldnounUS /fiːld/

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
foreheadnounUS /ˈfɔːrhed/

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
grovelverbUS /ˈɡrɑːvəl/

show submission or fear

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
heaven-born

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

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Pending verification
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HindunounUS /ˈhɪnduː/

a native or inhabitant of Hindustan or India

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
KANSASnounUS /ˈkænzəs/

a state in midwestern United States

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Lascarnoun

an East Indian sailor

From this reading To him approached a Lascar.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LIGHTadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lowestadjectiveUS /ˈloʊəst/

lowest in rank or importance

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MORNINGnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɪtɪv/

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/

impressive in appearance

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
obeyverbUS /oʊˈbeɪ/

be obedient to

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
officersnounUS /ˈɔːfəsərz/

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
paradenounUS /pərˈeɪd/

a ceremonial procession including people marching

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PILLARnounUS /ˈpɪlər/

a fundamental principle or practice

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ranknounUS /ræŋk/

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
regimentverbUS /ˈredʒəmənt/

subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sacredadjectiveUS /ˈseɪkrəd/

concerned with religion or religious purposes

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora curated lexicon
sepoy

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

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

Pending verification
sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
slightestadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪtəst/

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

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 AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To him approached a Lascar.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

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 On a day in January, 1857, a sepoy was sitting by a well in the cantonment of Dum-Dum, near Calcutta.

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 In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WINGSnounUS /wɪŋz/

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE PILLAR OF LIGHT," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
woreverbUS /wɔːr/

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading Though he wore the uniform of John Company, and his rank was the lowest in the native army, he carried on his forehead the caste-marks of the Brahmin.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading In a word, he was more than noble, being of sacred birth, and the Hindu officers of his regiment, if they were not heaven-born Brahmins, would grovel before him in secret, though he must obey their slightest order on parade or in the field.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 1 of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny by Louis Tracy holds 263 sentences, grouped into 53 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 1 of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny contain?

Chapter 1 holds 263 sentences of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny, unabridged, divided into 53 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny by Louis Tracy exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 263 sentences, grouped into 53 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 1 of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny?

Work through the 53 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 53 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny

Common questions about reading The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny by Louis Tracy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny?

Yes. All 4504 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #36478 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #36478, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny take to read?

About 375 minutes of reading across 901 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny section by section

How to work through The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wings
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Morning
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pillar
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Year: A Story of the Indian Mutiny; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.