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Under the Rose
Under the Rose

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Under the Rose
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.
From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.
Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.
A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.
"Fill up the moat," Francis had ordered.
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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.

Under the Rose

Chapter IV

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.
Line 2
From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.
Line 3
Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.
Line 4
A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.
Line 5
"Fill up the moat," Francis had ordered.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.”

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

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

From this reading “A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.”

Thin adjective US /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading “From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

air

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

attack

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

austere

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

breeze

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

brightened

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

brightly

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

casements

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

castle

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

commanding

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

conquering

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

contended

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

country

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

DUKE

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

east

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

features

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

Fill

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

From this reading "Fill up the moat," Francis had ordered.

foliage

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

Francis

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

From this reading "Fill up the moat," Francis had ordered.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

GIFT

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

gloomy

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

gradually

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "Fill up the moat," Francis had ordered.

hillside

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

hung

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

illumined

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

intrenched

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

isolated

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

light

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

loudly

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

majesty

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

many

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

medieval

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

mist

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

moat

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

From this reading "Fill up the moat," Francis had ordered.

modern

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

much

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

Norman

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

off

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

orb

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

ordered

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

From this reading "Fill up the moat," Francis had ordered.

out

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

red

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

rode

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

sap

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

somber

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

Soon

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

stole

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

stronghold

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

structure

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

sun

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

surrounding

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

swift-moving

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

threatened

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

up

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

From this reading "Fill up the moat," Francis had ordered.

valley

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

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

vanquished

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

vapor

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

victorious

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A great Norman structure, somber, austere, it was, however brightened with many modern features that threatened gradually to sap much of its ancient majesty.

wavering

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

west

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

whispered

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

From this reading Soon the conquering light brightly illumined a medieval castle commanding the surrounding country; the victorious breeze whispered loudly at its gloomy casements.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A GIFT FOR THE DUKE The sun and the breeze contended with the mist, intrenched in the stronghold of the valley.

wreaths

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.

zephyrs

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

From this reading From the east the red orb began its attack; out of the west rode the swift-moving zephyrs, and, vanquished, the wavering vapor stole off into thin air, or hung in isolated wreaths above the foliage on the hillside.