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A Trace of Memory
A Trace of Memory

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for A Trace of Memory
Context Illustration Reading 1/60 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
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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 Trace of Memory

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
Line 2
A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
Line 3
It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
Line 4
If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
Line 5
I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.”

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

armory

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

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

audible

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

Audience

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

bodyguards

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

boss

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

buffets

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

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

challenge

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

claim

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

conducted

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

courtiers

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

cut

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

day

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

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

down

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

enormous

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

establish

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

explained

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

favor

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

fidgeted

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

fight

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

formal

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

Gaudy

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

gloom

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

Gope

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

Hall

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

hangings

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

high-vaulted

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

hours

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

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

how

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

kind

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

legitimate

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

light

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

man

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

months

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

murmur

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

new

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

only

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

out

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

Owner

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

pointed

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

purple

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

Rath-Gallion

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

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

repay

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

rich

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

room

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

rustling

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

spent

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

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

sun

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

supplicants

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

three

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

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.

trading

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

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

two

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

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.

uneasy

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

waiting

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.

waylaid

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

From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.