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Domitia
Domitia

Chapter XXIX

Cover illustration for Domitia
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ATRIUM VESTÆ.
When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Domitia

Chapter XXIX

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ATRIUM VESTÆ.
Line 2
When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
Line 3
To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
Line 4
Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
Line 5
When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

Learner Dictionary

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

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.”

Mysterious adjective US /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading “Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.”

Obtain verb US /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading “To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.”

Thence adverb US /ðens/

from that place or that time

From this reading “When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

Alba

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

altar

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

always

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

From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

ATRIUM

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

From this reading ATRIUM VESTÆ.

attend

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

banks

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

best

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

From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.

burning

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

central

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

circular

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

common

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

constituted

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

domestic

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

easy

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

From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.

esteemed

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

fire

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

form

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

fresh

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

From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.

girls

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

goddess

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

hearth

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

hestia

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

household

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

hut

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

indispensable

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

keep

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

made

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.

obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

pastoral

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

people

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

possible

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

From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.

provision

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

reverence

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

Roman

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

Romans

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

sacred

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

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

settlement

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

then

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

thenceadverbUS /ðens/

from that place or that time

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

Tiber

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

From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.

times

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

From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

VESTÆ

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

From this reading ATRIUM VESTÆ.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.

young

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

From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.