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The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt
The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt is here in full — 33 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/6 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.
There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.
There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.
Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.
The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt is here in full — 33 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/6 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.
Line 2
There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.
Line 3
There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.
Line 4
Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.
Line 5
The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.

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.

farmstead noun US /ˈfɑːrmsted/

the buildings and adjacent grounds of a farm

From this reading “They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.”

fried adjective US /fraɪd/

cooked by frying in fat

From this reading “There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.”

idyll noun US /ˈaɪdəl/

an episode of such pastoral or romantic charm as to qualify as the subject of a poetic idyll

From this reading “There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.”

pyramids noun US /ˈpɪrəmɪdz/

plural of “pyramid” — a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex

From this reading “The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.”

swims noun US /swɪmz/

plural of “swim” — the act of swimming

From this reading “There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.”

trotting verb US /ˈtrɑːtɪŋ/

inflected form of “trot” — run at a moderately swift pace

From this reading “Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.”

unpalatable adjective US /ənˈpælətəbəl/

not pleasant or acceptable to the taste or mind

From this reading “There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.”

wines noun US /waɪnz/

plural of “wine” — fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading “There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.”

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.

dainty dishes adjective + noun counted as “dainty dish”

In this reading “There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.”

simple meal adjective + noun

In this reading “There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.”

cluster of verb + particle

In this reading “They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.”

trotting round verb + noun counted as “trot round”

In this reading “Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.”

pass before verb + particle

In this reading “The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.”

before going preposition + noun

In this reading “The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.”

All words in this reading · 124

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 They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

allowverbUS /əˈlaʊ/

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

Apisnoun

type genus of the Apidae: honeybees

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

atenounUS /eɪt/

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

beernounUS /bɪr/

a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

Caleb

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

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/

(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

Catullusnoun

Roman lyric poet remembered for his love poems to an aristocratic Roman woman (84-54 BC)

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

cestreus

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

cici-oil

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/

come together as in a cluster or flock

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/

carefully weighed

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/

placed crosswise

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/

delicately beautiful

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

deprecationnoun

a prayer to avert or remove some evil or disaster

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

dishnounUS /dɪʃ/

a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

dishesnounUS /ˈdɪʃəz/

plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

farmsteadnounUS /ˈfɑːrmsted/

the buildings and adjacent grounds of a farm

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

foamingadjectiveUS /ˈfoʊmɪŋ/

emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

friedadjectiveUS /fraɪd/

cooked by frying in fat

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

generouslyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəsli/

in a generous manner

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

grassverbUS /ɡræs/

shoot down, of birds

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

heatnounUS /hiːt/

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/

lacking in physical beauty or proportion

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

honey-water

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

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

honournounUS /ˈɑːnər/

the state of being honored

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

hungryadjectiveUS /ˈhʌŋɡri/

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

hydromelnoun

honey diluted in water; becomes mead when fermented

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

idyllnounUS /ˈaɪdəl/

an episode of such pastoral or romantic charm as to qualify as the subject of a poetic idyll

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

inknounUS /ɪŋk/

a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

keptadjectiveUS /kept/

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

laughingadjectiveUS /ˈlæfɪŋ/

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

legsnounUS /leɡz/

staying power

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

Lucius

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

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/

a midday meal

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

mealnounUS /miːl/

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/

the middle of the day

From this reading The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.

monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

NilenounUS /naɪl/

the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern Africa into the Mediterranean; the Nile River valley in Egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

omelettes

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

paidadjectiveUS /peɪd/

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

palm-trees

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

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.

picnicking

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

popularadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːpjələr/

regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

providedverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪd/

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

purple-coloured

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

pyramidsnounUS /ˈpɪrəmɪdz/

plural of “pyramid” — a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex

From this reading The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.

relishnounUS /ˈrelɪʃ/

vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

repastnoun

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The travellers were to rest under the palm-trees and allow the midday heat to pass before going on to the pyramids.

roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

salaams

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

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

sea-fish

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

secos

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

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

shownverbUS /ʃoʊn/

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

spoiltadjective

having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

squatted

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

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

stomachnounUS /ˈstʌmək/

an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

strangersnounUS /ˈstreɪndʒərz/

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

swimsnounUS /swɪmz/

plural of “swim” — the act of swimming

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

toothsomeadjective

acceptable to the taste or mind

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

townnounUS /taʊn/

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/

plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

trottingverbUS /ˈtrɑːtɪŋ/

inflected form of “trot” — run at a moderately swift pace

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

UnclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading They took the repast provided by Caleb outside the town, in a farmstead beside a canal, under a cluster of palm-trees.

unpalatableadjectiveUS /ənˈpælətəbəl/

not pleasant or acceptable to the taste or mind

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There was foaming beer and hydromel, or honey-water; and Uncle Catullus, spoilt though he was, thought the simple meal anything but unpalatable and considered that an idyll of this sort was good for the stomach, once in a way.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

winesnounUS /waɪnz/

plural of “wine” — fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading There were no dainty dishes, there were no purple-coloured wines thick as ink; but there were omelettes and there was cestreus, the sea-fish that swims up the Nile in certain months: fried in cici-oil, this is a popular, homely dish, it is true, but nevertheless toothsome for hungry travellers picnicking in the grass.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lucius told Caleb to have his luncheon with them; and Caleb, after much deprecation and many salaams at the honour shown him, squatted down and crossed his legs and ate with relish and kept on laughing at the thought of dear little Apis trotting round his secos for the strangers who paid so generously.

Chapter 16 of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt by Louis Couperus holds 33 sentences, grouped into 7 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 16 of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt contain?

Chapter 16 holds 33 sentences of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt, unabridged, divided into 7 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt by Louis Couperus exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 33 sentences, grouped into 7 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 16 of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt?

Work through the 7 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 7 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt

Common questions about reading The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt by Louis Couperus on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt?

Yes. All 3029 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #37497 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #37497, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt take to read?

About 252 minutes of reading across 606 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt section by section

How to work through The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 29 chapters of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt 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 Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Story
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ancient
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Egypt
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Translated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Tour: A Story of Ancient Egypt; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.