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Arthur
Arthur

Chapter XXVI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.
They are bathing in the river.
Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.
Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.
Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.
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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.

Arthur

Chapter XXVI

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.
Line 2
They are bathing in the river.
Line 3
Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.
Line 4
Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.
Line 5
Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.”

Stand noun US /stand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

advance

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

afraid

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

alabaster

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

appear

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading They are bathing in the river.

arms

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

backs

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

bare

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

bathing

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

From this reading They are bathing in the river.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

beautiful

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

bosoms

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

bow

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

brown

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

cameos

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

conceals

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

DANCE

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

DAYS

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

delicate

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

down

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

figures

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

girls

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

GREEK

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

hair

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

heads

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

holding

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

horizon

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading They are bathing in the river.

lake

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

laughter

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

like

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

liquid

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

luminous

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

more

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

NATIONAL

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

other's

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

Others

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

out

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

peals

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

pearls

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

playful

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

pretend

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

profiles

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

pure

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

rain

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

river

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

From this reading They are bathing in the river.

rolls

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

sandy

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

shore

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

silvery

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

slave

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

some

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

staircase

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

stand

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

steps

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

stone

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

SUNSHINE

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They are bathing in the river.

timidly

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

From this reading Others, holding each other's hands, advance timidly on the sandy shore of the lake; they bow their heads, and pretend to be afraid.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

transparent

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.

twist

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

From this reading Some of them, holding their beautiful arms above their heads, twist their long brown hair, from which a rain of liquid pearls rolls down on to their bosoms and their bare backs.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading DAYS OF SUNSHINE--THE GREEK NATIONAL DANCE I hear peals of silvery laughter, and beyond the last steps of the staircase, which half conceals them, the playful figures of some of my slave girls appear.

white

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

From this reading Nothing could be more beautiful than their pure and delicate profiles, which stand out like alabaster against the luminous horizon, like white cameos on a transparent stone.