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

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for William Tell Told Again
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.
Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.
Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.
Flüelen was about two miles from Küssnacht.
When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.
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.

William Tell Told Again

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.
Line 2
Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.
Line 3
Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.
Line 4
Flüelen was about two miles from Küssnacht.
Line 5
When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.”

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.”

Ship noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.”

Thither adverb US /ˈðɪθɜːr/

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading “Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.”

Unarmed noun US /ˈunarmed/

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

From this reading “Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

arrived

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

From this reading When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

board

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

From this reading When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

boiled

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

bottom

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

From this reading When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

bound

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

castle

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

crag

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

driven

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

early

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

embarked

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

fantastic

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

Flüelen

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

foamed

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

frequent

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Flüelen was about two miles from Küssnacht.

Gessler

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

Governor's

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

harbour

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

hemmed

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

hold

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

From this reading When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

Küssnacht

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

lake

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

lay

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

many

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

mass

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

men

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

midst

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

mightier

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

mighty

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

miles

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

From this reading Flüelen was about two miles from Küssnacht.

moored

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

opposite

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

out

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

perished

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

placed

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

From this reading When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

reared

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

rising

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

rocks

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

shape

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

sheer

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

side

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

Steep

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

stone

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

storms

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

swept

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

TellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

two

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

From this reading Flüelen was about two miles from Küssnacht.

unarmednounUS /ˈunarmed/

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

vessel

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

From this reading When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

vessels

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

waves

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Steep rocks of fantastic shape hemmed it in, and many were the vessels which perished on these, driven thither by the frequent storms that swept over the lake.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When they had arrived at the vessel they went on board, and Tell was placed at the bottom of the hold.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Gessler and his men, Tell in their midst, bound and unarmed, embarked early in the afternoon at Flüelen, which was the name of the harbour where the Governor's ship had been moored.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The castle of Küssnacht lay on the opposite side of the lake, a mighty mass of stone reared on a mightier crag rising sheer out of the waves, which boiled and foamed about its foot.