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The Tangled Skein
The Tangled Skein

Chapter XXVI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.
Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.
Some of the gentlemen too were astir.
Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.
He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.
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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 Tangled Skein

Chapter XXVI

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.
Line 2
Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.
Line 3
Some of the gentlemen too were astir.
Line 4
Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.
Line 5
He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.”

Amount verb US /əˈmaʊnt/

to reach or total a particular quantity or value

From this reading “CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.”

Gentlemen noun US /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Some of the gentlemen too were astir.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

altercation

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

amountverbUS /əˈmaʊnt/

to reach or total a particular quantity or value

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

angry

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

apartments

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

astir

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

From this reading Some of the gentlemen too were astir.

attention

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

certain

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

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

CHECK-MATE

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

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

cloister

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

close

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

combat

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

commotion

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

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

court

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

distinctly

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

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

Don

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Some of the gentlemen too were astir.

green

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

guard

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

heard

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

high-voiced

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

just

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

man

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

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

Miguel

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

Mirrab's

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

own

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

Palace

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

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

proceeding

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

quarrelling

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

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

quitted

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

reached

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

room

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

roused

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

saw

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

shouts

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

some

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

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

soon

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

sound

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

stationed

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

then

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

there

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

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CHECK-MATE For some time already there had been a certain amount of commotion in the Palace.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

too

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

From this reading Some of the gentlemen too were astir.

violently

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

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.

voices

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

Wessex

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Wessex himself soon after he had reached his own apartments heard the sound of angry voices proceeding from the room which he had just quitted.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mirrab's shouts when first she saw the combat, then her high-voiced altercation with Don Miguel, had roused the attention of some of the guard who were stationed in the cloister green court close by.

woman

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

From this reading He could hear nothing distinctly, but it seemed to him as if a woman and a man were quarrelling violently.