Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Water-Witch
The Water-Witch

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for The Water-Witch
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”
Tempest.
During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.
The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.
The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Water-Witch

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”
Line 2
Tempest.
Line 3
During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.
Line 4
The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.
Line 5
The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

Learner Dictionary

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

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.””

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading ““This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.””

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading “During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

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

From this reading ““This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.””

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.”

All words in this reading · 61

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 “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

all

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

brave

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

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

cabin

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

caused

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

conference

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

dialogue

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

direction

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

disappointed

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

discourse

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

evidently

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

held

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

hero

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

ideas

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

India-shawl

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

kingdom

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

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

Ludlow

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

maintained

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

most

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

music

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

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

Myndert

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

new

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

past

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

Patroon

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

perplexed

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

professional

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

prove

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

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

quarter-deck

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

reputation

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

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

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

Staats

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

taciturnity

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

Tempest

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

From this reading Tempest.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

thoughtful

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

From this reading The appearance of Myndert, thoughtful, disappointed, and most evidently perplexed, caused the ideas of all to take a new direction.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

Van

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The dialogue was professional, as Van Staats maintained his ancient reputation for taciturnity.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading During the time past in the secret conference of the cabin, Ludlow and the Patroon were held in discourse on the quarter-deck, by the hero of the India-shawl.

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “This will prove a brave kingdom to me; Where I shall have my music, for nothing.”