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The Two Admirals
The Two Admirals

Chapter XXIX

Cover illustration for The Two Admirals
Context Illustration Reading 1/51 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."
ALSTON.
We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.
We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.
Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.
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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 Two Admirals

Chapter XXIX

Reading 1/51 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."
Line 2
ALSTON.
Line 3
We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.
Line 4
We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.
Line 5
Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.”

Liberty noun US /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading “We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.”

Scarce adjective US /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading “Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

advance

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

also

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

ALSTON

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

From this reading ALSTON.

anchor

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

ask

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

behold

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

canvass

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

carnation

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

Contending

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

curved

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

described

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

eight-and-forty

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

enchantingly

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

enough

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

far

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

flew

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

flowed

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

form

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

Geraldine's

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

glowed

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

harmony

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

Head

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

hours

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

including

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

inland

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

just

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

justice

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

leaves

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

like

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

lines

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

masts

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

now

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

often

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

pearly

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

pennants

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

permission

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

pure

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

reader

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

roads

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

say

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

scene

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

seaward

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

ships

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

spoke

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

station

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

storm

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

streaming

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

Summer

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

taken

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

too

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

touches

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

transfer

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

unities

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

views

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.

warm

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

weather

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

From this reading Summer weather had returned, too, the pennants of the ships at anchor scarce streaming from their masts far enough to form curved lines.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

white

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

From this reading "He spoke; when behold the fair Geraldine's form On the canvass enchantingly glowed; His touches, they flew like the leaves in a storm; And the pure pearly white, and the carnation warm, Contending in harmony flowed."

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading We shall now ask permission of the reader to advance the time just eight-and-forty hours; a liberty with the unities which, he will do us the justice to say, we have not often taken.

Wychecombe

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

From this reading We must also transfer the scene to that already described at Wychecombe, including the Head, the station, the roads, and the inland and seaward views.