Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Domitia
Domitia

Chapter XXXVI

Cover illustration for Domitia
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HOUR OF TWELVE.
For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.
But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.
At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.
They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Domitia

Chapter XXXVI

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE HOUR OF TWELVE.
Line 2
For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.
Line 3
But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.
Line 4
At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.
Line 5
They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

Learner Dictionary

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

Glare noun US /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.”

Thin adjective US /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading “They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

aware

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

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

blaze

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

boards

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

citron-wood

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

consisted

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

covered

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

crash

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

Domitia

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

From this reading For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.

Emperor

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

film

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.

framed

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

glarenounUS /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

hinged

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

HOUR

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

From this reading THE HOUR OF TWELVE.

importance

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

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

inscribed

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

iron

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

lamp

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

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

lightning

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

loud

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

lying

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

moments

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

From this reading For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.

notes

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HOUR OF TWELVE.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

once

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

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

palace

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

pen

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.

roused

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

saw

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

secured

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

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

seized

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

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

shake

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

side

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

some

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

From this reading For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.

stile

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

stirring

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

From this reading For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.

succeeded

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

surfaces

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

table

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

tablets

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HOUR OF TWELVE.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

then

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

TWELVE

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

From this reading THE HOUR OF TWELVE.

wax

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

white

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

From this reading But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to shake the palace, she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a _stile_ or iron pen.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading For some moments Domitia remained without stirring.