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The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance
The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance

Chapter XVIII

Chapter 18 of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance is here in full — 412 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.
• • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.
Corinius held command on the left.
There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.
Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance

Chapter XVIII

Chapter 18 of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance is here in full — 412 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.
Line 2
• • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.
Line 3
Corinius held command on the left.
Line 4
There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.
Line 5
Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

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.

array noun US /ərˈeɪ/

an orderly arrangement

From this reading “• • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.”

captains noun US /ˈkæptənz/

plural of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading “Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.”

Dukes noun US /duːks/

plural of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading “There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.”

flicker verb US /ˈflɪkər/

move back and forth very rapidly

From this reading “But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.”

levies noun US /ˈleviz/

plural of “levy” — a charge imposed and collected

From this reading “There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.”

outlandish adjective US /aʊtˈlændɪʃ/

conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual

From this reading “There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.”

portending verb US /pɔːrˈtendɪŋ/

-ing form of “portend” — indicate, as with a sign or an omen

From this reading “But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.”

visions noun US /ˈvɪʒənz/

plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image

From this reading “But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.”

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.

battle array noun + noun

In this reading “• • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.”

fifteen hundred noun + noun

In this reading “There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.”

seventeen hundred adjective + noun

In this reading “Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.”

whole army adjective + noun

In this reading “• • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.”

hundred men noun + noun

In this reading “Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

armynounUS /ˈɑːrmi/

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

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

arraynounUS /ərˈeɪ/

an orderly arrangement

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

Axtacus

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

battlenounUS /ˈbætəl/

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/

in addition to; as well as

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

bitteradjectiveUS /ˈbɪtər/

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

bridge-house

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

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

captainsnounUS /ˈkæptənz/

plural of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

centrenounUS /ˈsentər/

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

chosennounUS /ˈtʃoʊzən/

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

commandnounUS /kəˈmænd/

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading Corinius held command on the left.

Corinius

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

From this reading Corinius held command on the left.

Corsus

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

CountverbUS /kaʊnt/

determine the number or amount of

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

dawnnounUS /dɔːn/

the first light of day

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

dreadnounUS /dred/

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

DukesnounUS /duːks/

plural of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

Ellien

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

Erp

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

Escobrine

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

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

Estreganzia

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

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

eyelid's

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

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

flickerverbUS /ˈflɪkər/

move back and forth very rapidly

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

Foliot

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

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

Gilta

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

green-coated

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

guessverbUS /ɡes/

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

heldadjectiveUS /held/

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/

ten 10s

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

kingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

King'snounUS /kɪŋz/

possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

kingsnounUS /kɪŋz/

plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

lednounUS /led/

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Corinius held command on the left.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

leviesnounUS /ˈleviz/

plural of “levy” — a charge imposed and collected

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

lordnounUS /lɔːrd/

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

lossnounUS /lɔːs/

something that is lost

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

Mynia

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

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

Nevria

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

NowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

Olis

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Corinius held command on the left.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

outlandishadjectiveUS /aʊtˈlændɪʃ/

conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

Permio

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

portendingverbUS /pɔːrˈtendɪŋ/

-ing form of “portend” — indicate, as with a sign or an omen

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

Prezmyra

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

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

princesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəz/

plural of “prince” — a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

RednounUS /red/

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

ruinnounUS /ˈruːən/

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/

being one more than sixteen

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

sling-casters

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

Tecapan

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

From this reading Corsus led the centre, and with him went King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of Tecapan, and other captains: seventeen hundred men in all.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

TracenounUS /treɪs/

a just detectable amount

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

troopsnounUS /truːps/

soldiers collectively

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

Tzeusha

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

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

visionsnounUS /ˈvɪʒənz/

plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an eyelid’s flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading • • • • • Now, when dawn appeared, was the King’s whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house.

Witchland

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

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levies: the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha, and the Red Foliot.

Chapter 18 of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance by Eric Rücker Eddison holds 412 sentences, grouped into 83 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 18 of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance contain?

Chapter 18 holds 412 sentences of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance by Eric Rücker Eddison exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 412 sentences, grouped into 83 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 18 of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance?

Work through the 83 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 83 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 18 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 18 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 Worm Ouroboros: A Romance

Common questions about reading The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance by Eric Rücker Eddison on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance?

Yes. All 7766 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #67090 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #67090, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1554 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance section by section

How to work through The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 19 chapters of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance 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 Worm Ouroboros: A Romance

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Thomas
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Huntlie
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ferlie
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Spied
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.