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Cleopatra — Complete
Cleopatra — Complete

Chapter VI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.
Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.
The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.
An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.
The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Cleopatra — Complete

Chapter VI

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.
Line 2
Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.
Line 3
The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.
Line 4
An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.
Line 5
The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.”

Obtain verb US /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading “The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.”

Seafaring adjective US /ˈsiːferɪŋ/

connected with travelling or working at sea

From this reading “The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.”

All words in this reading · 96

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

accompanied

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

all

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

anywhere

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

Archibius

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

arrived

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

From this reading Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.

ascertain

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

authorized

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

aware

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

back

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

bearer

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

chains

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

chief

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

connected

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

day

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

definite

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

Disquieting

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

From this reading Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.

distrust

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

doing

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

felt

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

folk

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

fortunately

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

From this reading Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

go

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

government

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

handed

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

harbour

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

independent

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

information

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

interference

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

Iras

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

learn

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

like

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

men

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

more

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

news

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

often

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

out

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

person

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

police

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

power

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

raised

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

Regent

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

Regent's

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

requesting

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

return

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

royal

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

runner

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

sailors

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

sea

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

seafaringadjectiveUS /ˈsiːferɪŋ/

connected with travelling or working at sea

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

second

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

sent

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

ships

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

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

tablet

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading An independent person like himself could often learn more than the chief of the harbour police, with all his ships and men.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

tidings

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

From this reading Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

truth

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

unverified

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

From this reading Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.

visit

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

From this reading The men sent by Archibius to obtain news had brought back no definite information; but a short time before, a royal runner had handed him a tablet from Iras, requesting him to visit her the next day.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Regent was doing everything in his power to ascertain the truth; but he (Archibius) was aware of the distrust of the government, and everything connected with it, felt by the sailors and all the seafaring folk at the harbour.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The little tablet was accompanied by a second, which, in the Regent's name, authorized the bearer to have the harbour chains raised anywhere, to go out into the open sea and return without interference.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Disquieting, but fortunately as yet unverified tidings had arrived.