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A Thorny Path — Complete
A Thorny Path — Complete

Chapter XXII

Cover illustration for A Thorny Path — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.
To satisfy all is a giant's task.
But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."
"Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.
"Hardly," answered the philosopher.
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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.

A Thorny Path — Complete

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.
Line 2
To satisfy all is a giant's task.
Line 3
But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."
Line 4
"Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.
Line 5
"Hardly," answered the philosopher.

Learner Dictionary

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

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “"Hardly," answered the philosopher.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “"Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."”

All words in this reading · 56

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 To satisfy all is a giant's task.

all

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

From this reading To satisfy all is a giant's task.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading "Hardly," answered the philosopher.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."

Caracalla

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

From this reading But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."

child

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

crowd

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

disappointed

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

forget

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

From this reading "Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.

giant's

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

From this reading To satisfy all is a giant's task.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

Hardly

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

From this reading "Hardly," answered the philosopher.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

hopes

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

hundreds

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

ill

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

From this reading But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

made

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

many

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.

Melissa

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."

philosopher

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

Philostratus

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading "Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.

said

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

sake

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

satisfy

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

From this reading To satisfy all is a giant's task.

sigh

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

From this reading "Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

task

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

From this reading To satisfy all is a giant's task.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

Then

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

From this reading "Then he will forget me!" replied Melissa, with a sigh of relief.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

to-day

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

wait

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

way

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

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

well

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

From this reading But Caracalla must do it, well or ill."

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading As Melissa made her way with the philosopher through the crowd, Philostratus said to her: "It is for your sake, child, that these hundreds have had so long to wait to-day, and many hopes will be disappointed.