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

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Veranilda
Context Illustration Reading 1/50 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.
Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.
All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.
Dawn was broadening to day, but Veranilda came not.
An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.
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.

Veranilda

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.
Line 2
Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.
Line 3
All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.
Line 4
Dawn was broadening to day, but Veranilda came not.
Line 5
An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.”

Agony noun US /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading “An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.”

Disappointment noun US /ˈdisappointment/

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

From this reading “An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.”

Whence adverb US /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading “Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

agonynounUS /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

All

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

From this reading All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

anxiously

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

arouse

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

attitude

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

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

Aurelia's

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

Basil

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

betook

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

bidden

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

broadening

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

From this reading Dawn was broadening to day, but Veranilda came not.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

came

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

From this reading Dawn was broadening to day, but Veranilda came not.

CHORSOMAN

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

Dawn

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

From this reading Dawn was broadening to day, but Veranilda came not.

day

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

From this reading Dawn was broadening to day, but Veranilda came not.

despair

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

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

disappointmentnounUS /ˈdisappointment/

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

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

early

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

failure

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

Fearful

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

Felix

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

garden

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

gazing

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

impatience

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

From this reading All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

lover

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

From this reading All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.

minute

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

From this reading All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.

mistress's

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

much

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Dawn was broadening to day, but Veranilda came not.

now

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

only

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.

return

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

seized

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

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

sickening

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

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

sleeping

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

slowly

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

From this reading All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.

spot

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

sunrise

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

survey

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

talk

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading An agony of disappointment seized upon him, and he stood at length in the attitude of one sickening with despair.

Veranilda

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

very

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

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

waited

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

From this reading All impatience, the lover waited, as minute after minute slowly passed.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

watchman

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

way

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

whenceadverbUS /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading CHORSOMAN Fearful of sleeping till after sunrise, Basil had bidden Felix arouse him this morning; and, as he had much to talk of with Veranilda, he betook himself to the garden very early.

withdrew

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

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Aurelia's watchman was standing without, gazing anxiously now this way, now that, surprised by his mistress's failure to return; on the appearance of Basil he withdrew, but only to a spot whence he could survey the garden.