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A Modern Mercenary
A Modern Mercenary

Chapter XIX

Cover illustration for A Modern Mercenary
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.
It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.
It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.
Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.
Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Modern Mercenary

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.
Line 2
It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.
Line 3
It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.
Line 4
Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.
Line 5
Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.”

Courtyard noun US /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading “Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.”

Roared noun US /roared/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.”

All words in this reading · 71

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

almost

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

anticipation

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

arranged

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

awake

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

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

boar-hunt

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

boarhounds

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

breakfast

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

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

Castle

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

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

chimneys

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

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

collected

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

day

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

daylight

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

DIPLOMATIC

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

From this reading IN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.

dogs

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

famous

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

fires

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

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

following

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

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

Four

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

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

gaunt

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

guests

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

hall

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

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

huge

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

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

hunting

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

huntsmen

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

late

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

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

leggings

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

overlooking

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

place

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

progress

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

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

reassuring

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

RELATIONS

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

From this reading IN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.

roarednounUS /roared/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

rooms

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

round

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

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

Sagan

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

suit

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

upper

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

vast

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

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

ventured

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

waited

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

From this reading It almost seemed as if the guests had waited for the appearance of the reassuring daylight before they ventured from their rooms.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was late on the following morning before the Castle was awake.

weather-stained

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Four huge fires roared in the four great chimneys round the vast hall where the breakfast was in progress.

window

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

From this reading Sagan, in his weather-stained hunting suit and leggings, stood at the upper window overlooking the courtyard where the huntsmen and gaunt dogs, the famous Sagan boarhounds, were already collected, in anticipation of the boar-hunt arranged to take place on that day.